3 most impressive Ottawa Senators players from 3-1 win over Utah Hockey Club feat. Leevi Merilainen

The Ottawa Senators were less than 24 hours removed from a critical 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre when they once again hit the ice against the Utah Hockey Club, who were making their first trip to the Canadian capital city since their relocation from Arizona.

Utah entered the game with a 3-1 record in their last four games, while the Senators were 2-2 in their last four, including their win over the Leafs

Ultimately, it was the Senators who gained the upper hand over Utah, winning 3-1 and improving their record to 26-20-4; Utah fell to 21-21-7.

Ridley Greig opened the scoring for the Senators, scoring his seventh goal of the season. However, Utah captain Clayton Keller knotted the score at 1-1 just over a minute later; both teams headed to their respective dressing rooms tied after the opening 20 minutes of play.

Neither team found the back of the net in the game's middle frame, setting up a tense third period.

The Senators took the lead for good in the third period thanks to veteran forward Claude Giroux, scoring his 10th goal of the season. Shortly afterward, Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk added an insurance goal, making the score 3-1.

Karel Vejmelka made 24 saves in a losing effort for Utah, while Leevi Merilainen stood tall with 34 saves for Ottawa.

3 most impressive Ottawa Senators players from 3-1 win over Utah Hockey Club

#1. Leevi Merilainen

The Senators' rookie goaltender is making a name for himself at the NHL level, picking up his seventh victory of the season and improving his record to 7-3. Earlier this month, he became the only other goalie in Senators history after Andrew Hammond to pick up more than one shutout in his first 10 NHL games.

He made several key saves on Sunday against Utah, including four of five attempts from Keller along with all six attempts from Logan Cooley.

He's with the Senators due to an injury to Linus Ullmark, and he's making the most of his opportunity.

#2. Claude Giroux

The Senators veteran, who is playing in the final year of his contract, scored the game-winning goal for his team in the third period.

He also registered an assist on Tkachuk's goal later on.

#3. Brady Tkachuk

Having gone through a prolonged scoreless streak, Tkachuk sealed Ottawa's victory with a clutch third-period goal. It was his first point since January 7, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

His goal will give him confidence moving forward, which will only serve to benefit the Senators.