OTTAWA, Ontario — In an impressive home debut, Leevi Merilainen showcased his skills, making 24 saves and helping the Ottawa Senators secure a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars, thus snapping the latter’s seven-game winning streak on Sunday evening.

Merilainen, who previously recorded his first NHL shutout in a 5-0 win against Pittsburgh the day before, made a strong impression. The 22-year-old Finnish goaltender previously played five games this season, all away from home.

Scorers for the Senators included Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle, and Matthew Highmore, all contributing to the team’s efforts. For the Stars, Evgenii Dadonov and Jason Robertson found the back of the net, while Casey DeSmith, the Dallas goaltender, recorded 25 saves. This game followed the Stars’ recent victory over Montreal, where they emerged victorious in a shootout.

In terms of team performance, the Senators bounced back effectively after initially conceding the first goal of the match. Conversely, the Stars struggled during the second period, unable to keep pace with the intensity exhibited by Ottawa.

A pivotal moment occurred when the Stars seemed to have equalized during a power play in the second period. However, the Senators challenged the play, leading to a ruling of offside that negated the goal.

Looking ahead, both teams will return to the ice this Tuesday. The Stars are set to clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Senators will take on the New York Islanders.