After a rocky start to the season, the Ottawa Senators are showing signs of life-and maybe, just maybe, the kind of spark that could fuel a second-half push. They opened the year with two wins, stumbled through four straight losses, and then found their footing with a 6-2-2 run to close out January.
That puts them at 8-6-2 overall, sitting 17th in the NHL by points percentage and 6th in the Atlantic Division. Not exactly playoff position, but in a season where nearly every team-aside from the Rangers-is still in the mix, the door isn’t shut.
Controlling the Puck, Not the Scoreboard (Yet)
One area where Ottawa has quietly excelled is in shot differential. They’ve been among the league’s best at both generating shots and limiting them-ranking 6th in shots for and 2nd in shots against league-wide.
That’s not just a one-month fluke either. This has been a consistent theme throughout the season.
The Senators are winning the puck possession battle, and that’s often the first step toward winning games. But as we’ve seen, it doesn’t always translate directly to points in the standings-especially when goaltending and special teams aren’t pulling their weight.
Goaltending Woes and Special Teams Struggles
Speaking of goaltending, it’s been a tough stretch in the crease. The Senators have struggled to get consistent stops, though they’re not alone in that department. Even the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers have had their issues, with Sergei Bobrovsky looking a step behind lately.
Special teams have also been a thorn in Ottawa’s side. The power play ranks 20th, and the penalty kill sits at 23rd-numbers that can drag down even the strongest 5-on-5 teams.
But there’s a silver lining: the Sens went a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and 2-for-3 on the power play in their recent win over the Devils. Since their low point against Nashville, they’ve allowed just one power-play goal in their last four games.
That’s progress-and a sign that things might be trending in the right direction.
Shooting Stars in a Crowded Atlantic
Here’s a stat that’ll make you do a double-take: Ottawa had the 8th-best shooting percentage in the NHL last month. That’s impressive on its own-but five of the seven teams ahead of them also call the Atlantic Division home. The offensive firepower in this division is no joke, and it makes every game a battle.
Three Stars of January
Third Star: Tyler Kleven
After a rough moment against the Wild in December, Tyler Kleven has bounced back in a big way. He’s settled into a steady role alongside Jordan Spence on the third pairing, and the results speak for themselves.
The duo logged 168 minutes together in January and posted a 65% expected goals share at 5-on-5, outscoring opponents 8-2 during that stretch. Spence has been solid all season, but Kleven’s growth has been particularly noticeable-doubling his point total and leading the blue line with a +7 rating.
He’s playing with confidence, laying clean, momentum-shifting hits, and showing why the organization believed in his upside.
Second Star: Jake Sanderson
Jake Sanderson’s game is evolving-and not just on the stat sheet. Sure, his shooting percentage has more than doubled from last season, and he’s already been on the ice for more 5-on-5 goals (45) than he was all of last year in 80 games.
But it’s the way he’s driving play and creating offense that stands out. He tallied 15 assists in January alone, putting him on a point-per-game pace for the month and ranking him 6th among NHL defensemen.
He’s becoming the kind of blueliner who doesn’t just defend well-he tilts the ice.
First Star: Ridly Greig
No player made a bigger impact in January than Ridly Greig. He’s not just playing the best hockey of his young career-he’s redefining his role on this team.
Greig posted 5 goals, 7 assists, and a +12 rating in 16 games, while playing on his off-wing alongside Brady Tkachuk and Dylan Cozens. That line has been dominant, outscoring opponents 7-2 and controlling 64% of expected goals.
For a team still searching for reliable top-six wingers, Greig’s emergence is a game-changer. And with a $3.25 million cap hit locked in for the next three seasons, this might be one of the smartest deals GM Steve Staios has pulled off.
Honorable Mention: Linus Ullmark
Linus Ullmark’s return to the crease couldn’t have come at a better time. He was sharp in his first game back, and while no one’s expecting him to post a .960 save percentage every night, his presence alone is a stabilizer.
The Senators have managed a 15-8-5 record despite an .884 team save percentage. That’s a 102-point pace over a full season.
If Ullmark can simply give them league-average goaltending-or even just flirt with a .900 save percentage-the Sens go from hopeful to dangerous.
Looking Ahead: February’s Short Sprint
Thanks to the Olympic break, Ottawa only plays five games in February. They’ll open against Pittsburgh, then face Carolina and Philadelphia, before wrapping up the month with Detroit and Toronto.
Realistically, the goal should be to take at least three of those five. The back-to-back in Raleigh will be a challenge, but the rest are winnable if the Sens keep trending upward.
And if you’re wondering whether this team has what it takes to go on a run-just look around the league. Buffalo rattled off 10 straight.
Columbus went 9-1-0. The Senators have the talent, the possession metrics, and now, some momentum.
The question is no longer if they can do it-it’s whether they’ll seize the moment.
February’s a short month. But for Ottawa, it could be a turning point.