Senators Enter Crucial Stretch with Playoff Hopes on the Line
For the Ottawa Senators, the time for moral victories is long gone. Close doesn’t count in the Eastern Conference standings, and the Sens are finding out the hard way that near-misses and “almosts” won’t cut it in a playoff race that’s leaving them behind.
Their latest stumble came against Nashville-a game that slipped away and felt like a microcosm of the season so far. Watching Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot sitting quietly on the bench in the third period, heads down as the clock ticked away, you could sense the frustration.
These are two cornerstone defensemen, and right now, they’re stuck in a stretch where the team can’t seem to string together the wins they need. The questions have to be swirling: *How did we get here?
And how do we fix it? *
There’s no time to dwell. The Senators are seven points out of a wild card spot and ten away from cracking the top three in the Atlantic.
With no guaranteed first-round pick and key players like Chabot and Brady Tkachuk inching closer to unrestricted free agency, the margin for error is razor-thin. The window to win isn’t just opening-it’s threatening to slam shut if this group doesn’t seize it now.
A Brutal Three-Game Gauntlet
What lies ahead is arguably the toughest three-game stretch of the season: a back-to-back against Carolina and Vegas, followed by a rematch against a team that hung eight goals on them the last time around. That’s a tall order for any team, let alone one trying to claw its way back into the postseason picture.
And now, they’ll have to do it without veteran forward David Perron, who’s expected to miss most of the remainder of the season. That’s a significant blow.
Perron has been a steadying presence, especially in tight games, and his defensive awareness has helped cover for a team that too often finds itself hemmed in its own zone. Losing him during this critical stretch removes one of the few veteran voices who’s been through the grind of meaningful late-season hockey.
So what’s realistic over these next three games? A perfect 3-0-0 run would be a dream scenario, but let’s be honest-that’s a tough ask.
Even a 2-0-1 stretch would be a win, but anything less than one or two points could be devastating. The Senators need to find a way to tilt the odds in their favor, and that starts behind the bench.
Coaching Must Rise to the Moment
Travis Green and his staff have their work cut out for them. With less than 24 hours between Saturday night’s game and Sunday’s puck drop, managing ice time and line combinations becomes a chess match.
The good news? Ottawa might catch a slight scheduling break.
While they’ll be playing back-to-back, Vegas will be coming off a game in Toronto and traveling to Ottawa. That could give the Sens fresher legs-if they can take advantage early.
Interestingly, Ottawa has actually fared well in back-to-back situations this season, often finding a way to scratch out at least a point. That’s encouraging, but it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes smart deployment-knowing when to ride your top players and when to lean on depth.
One question mark is whether we’ll see Kurtis MacDermid in the second game. Green has shown a preference for using MacDermid against heavier teams, but with tired legs and limited minutes, it’s a tough call. If he’s not going to play regular shifts, dressing someone who can help manage the workload might be the better move.
Goaltending: All Eyes on Reimer
Then there’s the crease. The Senators could turn to veteran James Reimer for all three games-a big ask, but not out of the question.
This is exactly the kind of stretch Reimer was brought in for. He’s been here before, and he knows what it takes to perform under pressure.
At this stage of his career, every start is an audition for next season, and a strong showing over the next week could put him back on the radar for teams looking for goaltending help.
Behind him, Leevi Meriläinen remains a developing story. The young netminder has shown flashes, but the NHL spotlight has looked a little too bright at times this year.
He did have a strong performance in Belleville earlier this week, stopping 27 of 29 shots, and that’s a step in the right direction. For now, though, the best move might be letting him continue to build confidence in the AHL before throwing him back into the fire.
Penalty Kill: A Pain Point That Needs Fixing
One area that has to improve is the penalty kill. Over the last five games, Ottawa is killing penalties at just 58 percent-a number that simply won’t hold up against elite competition. The Sens are about to face three of the most offensively gifted teams in the league, and if they can’t stay out of the box-or at least kill penalties effectively-it could get ugly in a hurry.
The key? Pressure on zone entries.
Right now, opposing teams are getting set up too easily, and once they’re in position, they’re picking the Senators apart. Forcing earlier shots, clearing rebounds, and denying time and space will be critical.
It’s not just about structure-it’s about effort and urgency.
Power Play: A Rare Bright Spot
If there’s one area where the Senators have been clicking, it’s the power play. They’ve converted on 5 of their last 15 opportunities-a 35 percent success rate that’s keeping them in games. That kind of efficiency needs to continue if they’re going to keep pace with high-scoring teams like Carolina, Vegas, and Colorado.
The formula is simple: shoot more, wait less. The Sens can’t afford to overpass or wait for the perfect lane.
Against top-tier penalty kills, those windows close fast. Brady Tkachuk’s presence in front of the net will be crucial-he’s one of the best in the league at cleaning up rebounds and creating chaos in the crease.
That gritty, second-chance offense might be their best weapon in this stretch.
Final Word
The next three games won’t define the entire season-but they might decide whether the Senators are still in the playoff conversation come February. With the margin for error shrinking and key players entering the prime of their careers, this team needs to start turning potential into results.
No more waiting for the window to open. It’s here.
It’s now. And if the Sens don’t take advantage, they may find themselves watching the postseason from the outside looking in-again.