Senators Face Crucial Stretch Before Olympic Break: Playoff Hopes, Ullmark’s Return, and Trade Deadline Buzz
The Ottawa Senators are staring down one of their most defining weeks of the season - and the clock is ticking. With three road games packed into four nights, and just six points left on the table before the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Senators are skating on the edge of playoff contention. Every shift, every save, and every goal this week could shape the direction of their season - and possibly their future at the trade deadline.
Let’s break down what’s at stake as Ottawa enters this high-pressure stretch.
Playoffs or Bust: Time to Deliver
The Senators aren’t out of the race - but they’re not quite in it either. Hovering just outside the Eastern Conference wild-card spots, Ottawa finds itself in a familiar spot: chasing consistency.
The top-end talent has been doing its job, but the results haven’t followed suit often enough. That’s left the front office with a tough call to make.
General manager Steve Staios has reportedly been leaning toward a “buyer” mindset at the trade deadline, signaling that this season still matters. But if the team stumbles this week, the Olympic break could become a time for reflection - or redirection.
Win two or three of these games, and Ottawa could head into the pause with momentum and a clearer mandate to add. Fall short, and the conversation might shift toward long-term planning.
Ullmark Returns - and Not a Moment Too Soon
Goaltending has been a sore spot all season for the Senators, but there’s hope on the horizon - and his name is Linus Ullmark. After stepping away on personal leave, the veteran netminder returned to the crease Saturday night and delivered a much-needed 4-1 win over the Devils.
His presence brings stability to a position that’s seen too much turbulence, with Ottawa’s team save percentage sitting near the bottom of the league. If Ullmark can find his rhythm and stay healthy, he could be the X-factor that helps this team tighten up defensively and string together the kind of run they need to stay in the playoff hunt.
Trade Deadline Watch: Big Game Hunting
Despite sitting outside the postseason picture, the Senators aren’t acting like sellers. The buzz around the league is that Ottawa is looking to make a splash - and not just a small one. They’re reportedly in the market for a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman, signaling a desire to upgrade now rather than wait for next year.
One name that’s surfaced in the rumor mill? Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar - an Ottawa native who would instantly bolster the blue line.
Weegar’s no-movement clause complicates things, but the interest is real. Flames forward Blake Coleman has also been mentioned as a potential target, offering grit and scoring depth.
If the Senators do decide to go all-in, it would be a bold statement of belief in this core. But again - this week’s results could determine just how aggressive they’re willing to be.
Olympic Send-Off: Stars Set for Milan-Cortina
Thursday’s game against the Flyers won’t just mark the final outing before the Olympic break - it’ll also be a send-off for six Senators who are heading to Italy to represent their countries on the world stage.
- Brady Tkachuk (USA)
- Jake Sanderson (USA)
- Tim Stützle (Germany)
- Nikolas Matinpalo (Finland)
- Lars Eller (Denmark)
- Mads Søgaard (Denmark)
It’s a proud moment for the franchise, showcasing the international talent on this roster. But before they trade NHL sweaters for national colors, there’s business to take care of - and the team will need every one of them locked in for the week ahead.
Injury Report: Key Absences Loom
The Senators’ depth has taken a hit just when they need it most. Veteran forward David Perron is expected to miss five to seven weeks following surgery for a sports hernia - a tough blow for a team that relies on his experience and secondary scoring.
Meanwhile, defenseman Thomas Chabot exited Saturday’s game with a wrist injury, and his status for this week is still up in the air. If Chabot can’t go, it’ll further test a blue line that’s already been under scrutiny.
The Week Ahead: A Three-Game Gauntlet
Here’s what the Senators are up against before the Olympic break:
- Mon, Feb. 2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 PM ET) A clash with a veteran-laden Penguins team that knows how to grind out wins in February.
- Tue, Feb. 3 @ Carolina Hurricanes (7:00 PM ET) A brutal back-to-back against one of the most complete teams in the league - a real measuring stick game.
- Thu, Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia Flyers (7:00 PM ET) The final game before the break, with playoff implications and Olympic farewells all rolled into one.
Final Word
This week could be a turning point for the Senators - one way or another. With the playoff race tightening and the trade deadline looming, Ottawa’s margin for error is razor-thin. But with Ullmark back between the pipes, six Olympians in the lineup, and a front office reportedly ready to make moves, the pieces are there.
Now it’s up to the players to deliver.