The Ottawa Senators are in the thick of a nail-biting race for a wild card spot, with just eight games left to play. Tied at 86 points with the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, the Senators are only two points shy of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who currently hold the final playoff position. Every game is crucial, and the pressure is mounting.
Goaltending Woes
The talk of the town in Ottawa is the goaltending situation, and it’s not a pretty picture. Linus Ullmark, expected to be a standout performer after signing a $33 million extension, has been underwhelming with an .888 save percentage.
This is a stark contrast to the Vezina-caliber expectations. Adding fuel to the fire, Ullmark was slated to start against the Tampa Bay Lightning last Saturday but took the night off, handing the reins to James Reimer.
This unexpected move has sparked plenty of chatter across Canadian media. The Senators, despite solid defensive play, rank last in the NHL for team save percentage.
If they hope to surpass Columbus and Detroit, their goalies need to step up and deliver.
Injury-Plagued Defense
The Senators’ blue line is taking hits at the worst possible time. Thomas Chabot is out for the season following surgery on a broken arm.
His recovery is pegged at four to eight weeks, meaning even a playoff berth might not see his return unless the team makes a deep run. Meanwhile, Jake Sanderson is still sidelined, practicing in a non-contact jersey but not yet fit for game action.
Rookie Carter Yakemchuk, a promising presence since his debut, also suffered an injury after a high hit from Noah Gregor during the Panthers game. The Senators are now scrambling to fill these defensive gaps.
Upcoming Challenges
The Senators face a pivotal stretch, starting with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, April 2. They’ll then clash with the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, followed by a homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and a rematch with the Panthers.
With only eight games remaining, Ottawa must secure victories or at least gather points in six or more contests to keep their playoff dreams alive. Failure to do so could see them on the outside looking in when the postseason begins.