Senators at the 2026 Olympics: Stützle Shows Flash, Sanderson and Tkachuk Bring the Heat for Team USA
Four Ottawa Senators players hit the ice on Day 5 of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and while the scoreboard didn’t favor all of them, there was no shortage of standout moments-especially from a few names Sens fans know well.
Let’s break down how the action unfolded for the Sens stars representing their countries.
Tim Stützle (Germany): A Solo Highlight in a Tough Loss
In a game where Germany was largely overmatched by a dominant American squad, Tim Stützle still found a way to shine.
Midway through the third period of a 5-1 loss to Team USA, Stützle delivered a moment of pure class. With Noah Hanifin diving across the slot to cut off his lane, Stützle calmly sidestepped the challenge and rifled a wrist shot over Connor Hellebuyck’s glove.
Just like that, he extended his Olympic goal streak to three straight games. It was the kind of goal that reminds you just how smooth and composed he can be-even when the ice is tilted.
But it wasn’t all highlights for the German star. Late in the first period, a miscue on a breakout led directly to Zach Werenski’s opening goal-an absolute gut punch with just nine seconds left before intermission. It was a costly turnover in a game where Germany couldn’t afford many.
There was a brief moment of concern late in the second period when Stützle was seen talking with a trainer during a TV timeout. Whatever the issue was, he returned to finish the game and didn’t appear limited.
By the final horn, Stützle logged 21:02 of ice time, finishing with one goal, three shots, and a minus-1 rating. Germany wrapped up the preliminary round with a 1-0-2-0 record (W-OTW-L-OTL), good enough for second place in Group C.
Jake Sanderson (USA): Physical, Poised, and Productive
Jake Sanderson made his presence felt all over the ice in Team USA’s win over Germany, showing exactly why he’s quickly becoming one of the most reliable two-way defensemen in the game.
His fingerprints were all over the Americans’ fourth and fifth goals. First, he pinched aggressively to keep the puck alive in the German zone, eventually earning a secondary assist on Tage Thompson’s 4-0 tally. Later, he fired a crisp pass to Auston Matthews, who redirected it home from the edge of the crease to make it 5-0.
But Sanderson wasn’t just making plays with the puck-he was throwing his weight around, too. He leveled Parker Tuomie with a massive hit in the first period, shadowed Leon Draisaitl with relentless pressure all game, and absolutely steamrolled Kai Wissman at the U.S. blue line in the third. It was a physical, high-IQ performance that showcased his ability to impact the game in all three zones.
Brady Tkachuk (USA): Captain Energy Keeps Producing
Brady Tkachuk didn’t find the back of the net in this one, but he still made his mark-and yes, he found his way onto the scoresheet.
The Senators captain picked up a secondary assist on Brock Faber’s 3-0 goal, a shot that German goalie Maximilian Franzreb will want back. Tkachuk also registered two shots and finished with a plus-1 rating in 14:12 of ice time.
Through three round-robin games, Tkachuk has notched two goals and an assist, providing the kind of physical, emotional, and offensive presence that’s become his trademark. He’s been a tone-setter for the U.S. squad, both on the ice and in the locker room.
The Senators' Olympic quartet is making waves on the world stage, and with elimination rounds looming, it’s safe to say we haven’t seen the last of their impact. Whether it’s Stützle’s flair, Sanderson’s all-around game, or Tkachuk’s relentless energy, these Sens are showing up when it matters most.