View source for 1920–21 Ottawa Senators season

{{short description|National Hockey League team season}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team season
  |League=NHL
  |Season=1920–21
  |year=1920
  |Team=Ottawa Senators (original){{!}}Ottawa Senators
  |Conference=
  |ConferenceRank=
  |Division=
  |DivisionRank=
  |Record=8–2–0 (1st half)<br/>6–8–0 (2nd half)
  |HomeRecord=8–4–0
  |RoadRecord=6–6–0
  |GoalsFor=97
  |GoalsAgainst=75
  |GeneralManager=[[Tommy Gorman]]
  |Coach=[[Pete Green (ice hockey)|Pete Green]]
  |Captain=[[Eddie Gerard]]
  |AltCaptain=
  |Arena=[[The Arena, Ottawa|The Arena]]
  |Attendance=
  |GoalsLeader=[[Cy Denneny]] (34)
  |AssistsLeader=[[Jack MacKell]] (10)
  |PointsLeader=Cy Denneny (39)
  |PlusMinusLeader=
  |PIMLeader=[[Buck Boucher]] (43)
  |WinsLeader=[[Clint Benedict]] (14)
  |GAALeader=Clint Benedict (3.08)
  |ObrienTrophy=Yes
  |StanleyCup=Yes
|prev_season=[[1919–20 Ottawa Senators season|1919–20]]
|next_season=[[1921–22 Ottawa Senators season|1921–22]]
}}

The '''1920–21 Ottawa Senators season''' was the club's 36th season of play, fourth season in the NHL, and they were out to defend their 1920 [[Stanley Cup]] championship. The club would win the NHL championship and defeat Vancouver in the [[1921 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] to win the club's ninth Stanley Cup.

{{TOClimit|limit=2}}

==Regular season==
[[Cy Denneny]] led the club offensively, scoring 34 goals, which was the second-highest total in the NHL, and his 39 points ranked him 3rd in the entire league.  Denneny had a six-goal game against the [[Hamilton Tigers]] on March 7.

[[Frank Nighbor]] had another great season with 18 goals, and [[Buck Boucher]] provided the team toughness, leading the club with 43 penalty minutes.

[[Clint Benedict]] also had a great season, earning 14 wins and a league best GAA of 3.08.

The team started the season 8–2–0 and won the first half of the season and a spot in the [[O'Brien Trophy (ice hockey)|O'Brien Cup]] finals, but the Senators slumped to a 6–8–0 record in the second half leading to a playoff with the [[Toronto St. Patricks]] in a two-game total-goals series.

On December 30, 1920, the Senators were ordered to give up [[Sprague Cleghorn]] to Toronto, on the orders of the league. The league ruled that the Senators were over the total salary limit for players and Cleghorn was ordered to report to Toronto. The same day, the league ruled that [[Punch Broadbent]] would have to go to Hamilton to complete a trade made before the season, still completed.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Globe |date=December 31, 1920 |page=12 |title=This Should Help To Balance Race}}</ref> Both players refused to report to their new teams. Cleghorn eventually reported to Toronto, but returned to Ottawa in time to play in the playoffs. Broadbent resumed play for Ottawa in the second half of the season.

===December===
* '''December 22''' – The Senators opened the [[1920-21 NHL season|1920-21]] season on home ice against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Jack Darragh]] scored three goals and [[Cy Denneny]] scored twice as Ottawa defeated Toronto 6-3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 22, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012220OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''December 27''' – The newly relocated [[Hamilton Tigers]] made their first ever trip to Ottawa. [[Jack Darragh]] scored two more goals for the Senators, while [[Clint Benedict]] played very solid in goal, as Ottawa defeated the Tigers 3-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 27, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012270OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''December 29''' – Ottawa played their first road of the season at [[Mutual Street Arena]] in Toronto against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Cy Denneny]] scored two goals and added an assist, while [[Georges Boucher]] and [[Sprague Cleghorn]] each scored twice, as the Senators blew out the St. Patricks by a score of 8-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: December 29, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012290TRS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>

The Senators finished December with a perfect 3-0-0 record, earning six points. They were in first place in the NHL, two points ahead of second place Hamilton.

===January===
* '''January 3''' – The Senators were back on home ice for a matchup against the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. [[Cy Denneny]] led the Senators, scoring three goals and an assist, while [[Jack MacKell]] scored twice, as Ottawa crushed the Canadiens 8-1 to remain perfect on the season with a 4-0-0 record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 3, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101030OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 6''' – Ottawa was on the road for their first ever trip to [[Barton Street Arena]] in Hamilton for a game against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. [[Frank Nighbor]] scored twice and added two assists, while [[Cy Denneny]] scored two goals and had an assist, as the Senators defeated the Tigers 5-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: January 6, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101060HAM.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 8''' – The Senators continued their road trip for their first visit to [[Mount Royal Arena]] in the season to face the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. [[Frank Nighbor]] scored twice, however, the Canadiens, led by [[Newsy Lalonde]] who scored two goals and added two assists, snapped the Senators winning streak at five, as Montreal defeated Ottawa 5-4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 8, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101080MTL.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 12''' – Ottawa returned home for a matchup against the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the back end of a home-and-home series. The game remained scoreless until midway through the third period, as [[Jack Darragh]] and [[Eddie Gerard]] each scored, while [[Clint Benedict]] earned the shutout, as the Senators defeated Montreal 2-0.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 12, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101120OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 15''' – The Senators were back on the road for a matchup against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Frank Nighbor]] scored three goals for the Senators to lead the team to a 5-2 win over Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 15, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101150TRS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 19''' – Ottawa returned home for a game against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. [[Georges Boucher]] and [[Frank Nighbor]] each scored two goals, with Nighbor's second goal the overtime winner, as the Senators defeated Hamilton 4-3, to improve to 8-1-0 on the season, and earn a berth into the [[O'Brien Cup]] finals as they clinched first place for the first half of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 19, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101190OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 21''' – The Senators concluded the first half of the regular season with a home game against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Cy Denneny]] scored two goals, however, his younger brother, [[Corb Denneny]], scored the overtime winning goal for the St. Patricks as Toronto defeated Ottawa 5-4. With the loss, Ottawa finished the first half of the season with a league-best record of 8-2-0.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 22, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101220OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 26''' – Ottawa opened the second half of the regular season with a road game against the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. Ottawa took a 3-0 lead midway through the game, however, the Canadiens stormed back to win the game 5-3. [[Georges Boucher]], [[Eddie Gerard]] and [[Frank Nighbor]] each scored for the Senators.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 26, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101260MTL.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''January 29''' – The Senators continued their road trip with a matchup against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. [[Frank Nighbor]] and [[Cy Denneny]] each score a goal, while [[Clint Benedict]] provided strong goaltending, as the Senators defeated the Tigers 2-1 for their first victory in the second half of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: January 29, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101290HAM.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>

At the end of January, the Senators had a 1-1-0 record in the second half of the season, earning two points. The Senators were in a tie for second place with the St. Patricks, two points behind the first place Canadiens.

===February===
* '''February 2''' – Ottawa returned to home ice for their first home game of the second half of the season against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Cy Denneny]] scored twice and added an assist, as the Senators erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat the St. Patricks 4-3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 2, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102020OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 5''' – Ottawa was back on the road for a matchup against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. The Senators, led by [[Eddie Gerard]] and his two goals and an assist, and by [[Morley Bruce]] with his two goals, crushed the Tigers by a score of 7-3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: February 5, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102050HAM.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 9''' – The Senators and [[Hamilton Tigers]] faced off back in Ottawa for the second game of a home-and-home series. Ottawa, led by three goals from [[Cy Denneny]] and two goals by [[Eddie Gerard]], defeated the Tigers 7-4, extending their winning streak to four games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 9, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102090OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 12''' – Ottawa welcomed the [[Montreal Canadiens]] for a home game. [[Jack Darragh]] was the only Senator to manage a goal, as the Canadiens, led by goaltender [[Georges Vezina]], defeated Ottawa 3-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 12, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102120OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 16''' – The Senators were on the road for a game against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. Ottawa took a 3-2 lead into the third period, however, Toronto scored twice to win the game 4-3. [[Cy Denneny]] scored all three goals for the Senators.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 16, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102160TRS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 19''' – Ottawa continued their road trip with a game against the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. The struggling Senators managed only one goal, scored by [[Cy Denneny]], as the Canadiens pummeled Ottawa 8-1. The loss was the Senators third in a row, dropping their record to 4-4-0 in the second half of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 19, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102190MTL.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 23''' – The [[Montreal Canadiens]] visited Ottawa for the backend of a home-and-home series. The Senators offense continued to struggle, as [[Frank Nighbor]] scored the lone goal, as the Canadiens defeated Ottawa 3-1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 23, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102230OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 26''' – Ottawa headed to Toronto for a road game against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. [[Eddie Gerard]] scored a goal and added an assist, however, the Senators struggles continued, as the St. Patricks won the game 4-2. The loss was Ottawa's fifth in a row.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 26, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102260TRS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''February 28''' – The Senators continued their road trip with a game against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. [[Cy Denneny]] scored a goal and an assist, but the Tigers easily handled the Senators, winning the game 6-2 and extending Ottawa's losing skid to six games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: February 28, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102280HAM.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>

Ottawa struggled to a record of 3-6-0 in February. Overall, the Senators second half record at this time was 4-7-0, earning eight points and third place in the NHL.

===March===
* '''March 2''' – The Senators returned home for a matchup against the [[Toronto St. Patricks]]. Ottawa continued to struggle, as [[Cy Denneny]] and his two goals were all of the Senators offense, as the St. Patricks defeated Ottawa 3-2. The loss was the seventh in a row for the Senators.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 2, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103020OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''March 5''' – Ottawa headed to Montreal for their final road game of the season against the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. [[Cy Denneny]] scored a late third period goal, while [[Clint Benedict]] stopped every shot fired his way, as Ottawa snapped their seven game losing streak with a 1-0 victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: March 5, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103050MTL.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''March 7''' – Ottawa concluded the [[1920-21 NHL season|1920-21]] regular season with a home game against the [[Hamilton Tigers]]. The Senators offense, which had been struggling, exploded in this game, as Ottawa defeated the Tigers 12-5. [[Cy Denneny]] scored six goals and added an assist, while [[Punch Broadbent]] and [[Frank Nighbor]] each scored twice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 7, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103070OTS.html |website=Hockey-Reference |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>

Ottawa finished the second half of the season with a disappointing record of 6-8-0, earning 12 and ranking third in the NHL, eight points behind the first place [[Toronto St. Patricks]].

===Final standings===
{{1920–21 NHL standings|team=OTT}}

===Record vs. opponents===
{{1920–21 NHL Record vs. opponents|team=OTT}}

==Schedule and results==
{| class="toccolours" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-1
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid;"|1920–21 1st half game log (8-2-0)
|-
| colspan="12"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|December: 3–0–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 1–0–0)
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Record !! Pts !! Recap
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 1 || December 22 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] || 3–6 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || [[Clint Benedict|Benedict]] || N/A || '''[[The Arena, Ottawa|The Arena]]''' || 1–0–0 || 2 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 22, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012220OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || December 27 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] || 1–3 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 2–0–0 || 4 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: December 27, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012270OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 3 || December 29 || '''Ottawa''' || 8–1 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || [[Mutual Street Arena|Arena Gardens]] || 3–0–0 || 6 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: December 29, 1920 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192012290TRS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|}
|-
| colspan="12"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|January: 5–2–0 (home: 3–1–0; road: 2–1–0)
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Record !! Pts !! Recap
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 4 || January 3 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] || 2–8 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 4–0–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 3, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101030OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 5 || January 6 || '''Ottawa''' || 5–1 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || [[Barton Street Arena]] || 5–0–0 || 10 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: January 6, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101060HAM.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 6 || January 8 || '''Ottawa''' || 4–5 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || [[Mount Royal Arena]] || 5–1–0 || 10 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 8, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101080MTL.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 7 || January 12 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] || 0–2 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 6–1–0 || 12 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 12, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101120OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 8 || January 15 || '''Ottawa''' || 5–2 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 7–1–0 || 14 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: January 15, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101150TRS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 9 || January 19 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] || 3–4 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 8–1–0 || 16 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 19, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101190OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 10 || January 22 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] || 5–4 || '''Ottawa''' || OT || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 8–2–0 || 16 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: January 22, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101220OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|}
|}

{| class="toccolours" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-1
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid;"|1920–21 2nd half game log (6-8-0)
|-
| colspan="12"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|January/February: 4–7–0 (home: 2–2–0; road: 2–5–0)
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Record !! Pts !! Recap
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1 || January 26 || '''Ottawa''' || 3–5 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Mount Royal Arena || 0–1–0 || 0 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: January 26, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101260MTL.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || January 29 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–1 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Barton Street Arena || 1–1–0 || 2 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: January 29, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192101290HAM.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 3 || February 2 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] || 3–4 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 2–1–0 || 4 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 2, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102020OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 4 || February 5 || '''Ottawa''' || 7–3 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Barton Street Arena || 3–1–0 || 6 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: February 5, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102050HAM.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 5 || February 9 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] || 4–7 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 4–1–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 9, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102090OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 6 || February 12 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] || 3–1 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 4–2–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 12, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102120OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 7 || February 16 || '''Ottawa''' || 3–4 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 4–3–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 16, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102160TRS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 8 || February 19 || '''Ottawa''' || 1–8 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Mount Royal Arena || 4–4–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: February 19, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102190MTL.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 9 || February 23 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] || 3–1 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 4–5–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: February 23, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102230OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 10 || February 26 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–4 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Arena Gardens || 4–6–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto St. Patricks Box Score: February 26, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102260TRS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 11 || February 28 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–6 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Barton Street Arena || 4–7–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Hamilton Tigers Box Score: February 28, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192102280HAM.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|}
|-
| colspan="12"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="12" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|March: 2–1–0 (home: 1–1–0; road: 1–0–0)
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Record !! Pts !! Recap
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 12 || March 2 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] || 3–2 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 4–8–0 || 8 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto St. Patricks vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 2, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103020OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 13 || March 5 || '''Ottawa''' || 1–0 || [[1920-21 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Mount Royal Arena || 5–8–0 || 10 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Box Score: March 5, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103050MTL.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 14 || March 7 || [[1920-21 Hamilton Tigers season|Hamilton]] || 5–12 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || Benedict || N/A || '''The Arena''' || 6–8–0 || 12 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton Tigers vs. Ottawa Senators Box Score: March 7, 1921 |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/192103070OTS.html |website=www.hockey-reference.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>
|-
|}
|-
| colspan="11" style="text-align:center;"|
'''''Legend''''':
{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid #ccffcc}}
{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid #ffbbbb}}
{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid #ffffcc}}
|}

==Playoffs==
===Ottawa Senators 7, Toronto St. Patricks 0===
In the NHL Championship, the Senators faced the [[Toronto St. Patricks]] in a two-game total-goal series with one game in each city.

The series opened on March 10 in Ottawa. The teams skated to a scoreless first period. In the second period, Ottawa opened the scoring on a powerplay goal by [[Cy Denneny]] 1:45 into the period, giving the Senators a 1-0 lead. The Sens added a second goal less than five minutes later, as [[Georges Boucher]] scored to make it 2-0 Ottawa after two periods. The Senators continued to dominate in the third period, as they scored three goals, including two by Boucher, giving him three goals in the game, as the Senators shutout the St. Patricks 5-0 to take the series lead.

The series resume four nights later in Toronto on March 14. The Senators played tight defense, and the game remained goalless after two periods. In the third period, Ottawa's [[Eddie Gerard]] scored the opening goal of the game, giving the Senators 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, [[Frank Nighbor]] scored, giving the team a 2-0 lead. Ottawa would win the series by a score of 7-0, advancing to the [[1921 Stanley Cup Finals]].

{| class="toccolours" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-1
! colspan="10" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid;"|NHL finals
|-
| colspan="10"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|Ottawa Senators 7, Toronto St. Patricks 0
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Series
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 1 || March 10 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] || 0–5 || '''Ottawa''' ||  || [[Clint Benedict|Benedict]] || N/A || '''[[The Arena, Ottawa|The Arena]]''' || 0–5
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || March 14 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–0 || [[1920-21 Toronto St. Patricks season|Toronto]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || [[Mutual Street Arena|Arena Gardens]] || 0–7
|}
|}

===Ottawa Senators 3, Vancouver Millionaires 2===
{{main article|1921 Stanley Cup Finals}}
The series would take place in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]] at [[Denman Arena]], and a record breaking crowd of 11,000 people would see the Millionaires win the first game 2–1 to take an early series lead.  The Senators would rebound, winning the next two before Vancouver would tie the series up at two with a win in game four.  Then, for the second straight year, the Senators would win the fifth and deciding game, winning the 1921 Stanley Cup, and became the first team since the 1912 and 1913 [[Quebec Bulldogs]] to win back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships.

All of the contests in the series, which went to the full five games, were decided by only one goal. The Millionaires won games one and four with victories of 2–1 and 3–2, respectively. The Senators were victorious in games two and three with 4–3 and 3–2 wins. Then in the fifth game, [[Jack Darragh]] scored both of Ottawa's goals in the 2–1 victory to clinch the Cup.

Darragh led the Senators in scoring with five goals during the series, while goaltender [[Clint Benedict]] only allowed just 12 goals in the five games, earning a 2.40 goals-against average.

{| class="toccolours" style="width:90%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-1
! colspan="10" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid;"|Stanley Cup Finals
|-
| colspan="10"|
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="10" style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;"|Ottawa Senators 3, Vancouver Millionaires 2
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! # !! Date !! Visitor !! Score !! Home !! OT !! Decision !! Attendance !! Arena !! Series
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1 || March 21 || '''Ottawa''' || 1–3 || [[Vancouver Millionaires|Vancouver]] ||  || [[Clint Benedict|Benedict]] || N/A || [[Denman Arena]] || 0–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 2 || March 24 || '''Ottawa''' || 4–3 || [[Vancouver Millionaires|Vancouver]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Denman Arena || 1–1
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 3 || March 27 || '''Ottawa''' || 3–2 || [[Vancouver Millionaires|Vancouver]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Denman Arena || 2–1
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 4 || March 31 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–3 || [[Vancouver Millionaires|Vancouver]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Denman Arena || 2–2
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 5 || April 4 || '''Ottawa''' || 2–1 || [[Vancouver Millionaires|Vancouver]] ||  || Benedict || N/A || Denman Arena || 3–2
|}
|}

==Player statistics==

===Scoring leaders===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="40%" | Player
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | GP
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | G
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | A
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | Pts
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | PIM
|-
|[[Cy Denneny]] || 24 || 34 || 5 || 39 || 10
|-
|[[Frank Nighbor]] || 24 || 18 || 3 || 21 || 10
|-
|[[Jack Darragh]] || 24 || 11 || 8 || 19 || 20
|-
|[[Buck Boucher]] || 23 || 12 || 5 || 17 || 43
|-
|[[Eddie Gerard]] || 24 || 11 || 4 || 15 || 18
|}

===Goaltending===
{|class="wikitable" width="50%"
|- align="center"  bgcolor="#dddddd"
| '''Player''' || '''GP''' || '''TOI''' || '''W''' || '''L''' || '''T''' || '''GA''' || '''SO''' || '''GAA'''
|-
|[[Clint Benedict]] || 24 || 1462 || 14 || 10 || 0 || 75 || 2 || 3.08
|}

{{Hockey season stats note}}

==Awards and records==

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

==Transactions==
The Senators were involved in the following transactions during the [[1920–21 NHL season|1920–21]] season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/trade_list_by_season/1920-21/1|title=NHL trades for 1920-21 - NHL Trade Tracker}}</ref>

===Trades===
{|class="wikitable"
|- 
| December 30, 1920
|  valign="top"|To [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]]<hr>N/A
|  valign="top"|To [[Hamilton Tigers]]<hr>[[Sprague Cleghorn]]<br>[[Punch Broadbent]]
|- style="background:#eee;"
| February 21, 1921
|  valign="top"|To [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]]<hr>[[Punch Broadbent]]
|  valign="top"|To [[Montreal Canadiens]]<hr>N/A
|- 
| April 6, 1921
|  valign="top"|To [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]]<hr>N/A
|  valign="top"|To [[Hamilton Tigers]]<hr>[[Sprague Cleghorn]]
|}

===Free agents===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| November 10, 1920
|  valign="top"|Did not play in [[1919-20 NHL season|1919-20]]<hr>[[Leth Graham]]
|- style="background:#eee;"
| March 15, 1921
|  valign="top"|From [[Toronto St. Patricks]]<hr>[[Sprague Cleghorn]]
|}

==See also==
* [[1920–21 NHL season]]

==References==
*[http://www.shrpsports.com SHRP Sports]
*[http://www.hockeydb.com The Internet Hockey Database]
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
{{reflist}}

{{Original Ottawa Senators seasons}}
{{1920–21 NHL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1920-21 Ottawa Senators season}}
[[Category:Stanley Cup championship seasons]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators (original) seasons]]
[[Category:1920–21 NHL season by team|Ottawa]]
[[Category:1920–21 in Canadian ice hockey by team|Ottawa]]