Against a tough Ottawa team that recorded 12 hits in the first period, Utah came out aggressive and disruptive on defense in the second. But by the third period, it was Ottawa who broke through Utah's defense first with two goals.

Claude Giroux broke a third-period tie and added an assist, rookie Leevi Merilainen made 34 saves and the Ottawa Senators beat Utah 3-1 on Sunday night.

Clayton Keller's 18th goal of the season not enough as Utah falls, 3-1, in Ottawa

A Utah turnover while on the power play led to the Senators’ first goal of the game in the second period. Shane Pinto and Ridly Greig exploded on a two-on-1 as Utah’s Nick Schmaltz trailed while trying to get back. Greig one-timed Pinto’s pass past goalie Karel Vejmelka at 12:16 for the 1-0 advantage.

The organization will turn to its fans to help find another new name with the final three names in the running being Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth and Utah Wasatch.

Utah's lone goal came on a flukey bounce in the second period. Clayton Keller sent a pass into the slot that was intended for Logan Cooley, but it hit off Ottawa's Ridly Greig and into the back of the net. It was Keller's 18th goal of the season and extended his point streak to seven games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Ottawa Senators play the Utah Hockey Club in a non-conference matchup. Ottawa is 25-20-4 overall and 13-7-2 in home games. The Senators serve 9.0 penalty minutes per game to rank 10th in the league.

As the Ottawa Senators continue their sometimes-bumpy ride through a season that’s had plenty of positives, their lack of goal scoring remains a concern. Just 137 goals scored in 50 games? It’s puzzling,

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club left wing Michael Carcone (53) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) crash into the glass during the second period of the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-24-8) have one more chance to salvage a good feeling from this extended seven-game road trip that seemingly began a lifetime ago with a joyous victory over the Buffalo Sabres and Alex Nedeljkovic’s goalie goal.

The resurgent Ottawa Senators go for a third straight win when they host the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. The Senators completed a successful weekend back-to-back set with a 3-1 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday.