The Ottawa Senators are heading into a pivotal stretch that could define their season. With the playoff race heating up and the margin for error shrinking by the day, the Sens are looking to bounce back from a tough weekend that saw them drop two critical games to division rivals. Let’s break down where things stand - and what lies ahead - as Ottawa gears up for a make-or-break week.
Goaltending in the Spotlight: Ullmark’s Return Looms, Reimer Debuts
The Senators’ biggest challenge right now? Keeping the puck out of their own net.
Statistically, they’ve been solid defensively - their expected goals against numbers are among the league’s best - but that hasn’t translated into actual saves. Ottawa sits near the bottom of the NHL in team save percentage, and that disconnect is starting to cost them games.
The absence of Linus Ullmark has loomed large. The star netminder has been away on personal leave, and while the team hasn’t rushed him back, there’s optimism on the horizon.
Ullmark is currently traveling with the team on their road trip, and his return to the crease could be imminent - and desperately needed. If the Sens are going to stay in the playoff hunt, getting Ullmark back between the pipes might be the single most important factor.
In the meantime, rookie Leevi Merilainen has had a rough go. Saturday’s game against the Canadiens saw him give up six goals - a tough outing that underscored Ottawa’s current goaltending woes.
To help stabilize the situation, the Senators inked veteran James Reimer to a one-year deal last week. Reimer made his debut on Sunday against the Red Wings and, while the Sens fell in overtime, his performance was a bright spot. He looked composed and confident, and the hope is that he can provide a steady presence in net while Ullmark works his way back.
Walking the Tightrope: Every Point Matters
The Senators are still very much in the playoff conversation, but they’re walking a fine line. Over the weekend, they dropped two crucial games in overtime - a 6-5 loss to Montreal and a 4-3 heartbreaker against Detroit. Those are the kinds of games that sting a little extra, especially when they come against teams you’re directly competing with in the standings.
Ottawa isn’t out of it yet - they’re just a few points back of a Wild Card spot - but they can’t afford to let more points slip away. With the trade deadline approaching, GM Steve Staios is expected to be a buyer, but that only matters if the team stays in the race long enough to make those moves count.
Stützle and Tkachuk Leading the Charge
Despite the turbulence on the back end, Ottawa’s top guns are doing their part.
Tim Stützle is on an absolute tear. He’s riding a 13-game point streak and has been the engine of the Senators’ offense.
It’s not just the points - it’s the way he’s doing it. Stützle is playing elite two-way hockey, driving play at both ends of the ice and showing why he’s one of the league’s rising stars.
Brady Tkachuk continues to bring his trademark blend of skill and grit. He’s putting up points at a high clip, but you can sense the frustration - this is a season where the core group knows it’s time to win. Tkachuk wears his heart on his sleeve, and his leadership will be crucial as the team tries to navigate this pressure-packed stretch.
The Week Ahead: Four Games, High Stakes
The Senators’ upcoming schedule is no joke. Four games in six days, including a tough back-to-back to close it out. Here’s what they’re facing:
- Jan. 20 @ Columbus Blue Jackets (7:00 PM ET) This is a must-win. Columbus is below Ottawa in the standings, and the Sens need to take advantage of matchups like this to stop the bleeding.
- Jan. 22 @ Nashville Predators (8:00 PM ET) A tough test on the road against a big, physical Western Conference team. The Sens will need to bring their A-game to grind one out here.
- Jan. 24 vs. Carolina Hurricanes (7:00 PM ET) Back home at Canadian Tire Centre, but the opponent doesn’t get any easier. The Hurricanes are one of the league’s top teams - a true measuring-stick game.
- Jan. 25 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (5:00 PM ET) The second half of a back-to-back against the defending champs. Fatigue will be a factor, and depth scoring could be the difference.
Final Word
This is the kind of week that can swing a season. The Senators are talented, they’ve got top-end players producing, and they’ve shown flashes of being a playoff-caliber team.
But the goaltending needs to stabilize - and soon. If Ullmark returns and Reimer can hold the fort in the meantime, there’s still a path forward.
But it’s a narrow one.
Every point matters now. The margin for error is thin, and the clock is ticking.