Nick Cousins took a heavy hit, and while it may have stayed within the rules, it clearly rubbed the Senators the wrong way.
Jakob Chychrun drove in with plenty of force after Cousins had his head down, and the criticism wasn’t about legality so much as judgment. Chychrun had time to size up the play and choose how hard to finish it, but he didn’t ease off. That was the line, at least in the eyes of Ottawa, and the reaction from the bench made that plain right away.
Claude Giroux was visibly furious after the hit, and his response stood out because of who he is around the league. He’s known as one of the classier players in the NHL, which made his anger even more telling. Circle January 2, 2027, on your calendar because, at 7 p.m. that evening, the Senators will be discussing their New Year’s resolutions with Chychrun.
The Flyers, meanwhile, are a team that could wind up in the middle of trade chatter before long. They’ve reached the quarter mark of their season and already find themselves six points back of the Florida Panthers, who hold the final wild-card spot.
That’s made worse by the fact that Philadelphia has played an average of three or more games than most teams in the conference. If the clubs with games in hand start cashing in, that gap could grow quickly.
There are also issues bubbling around the Flyers’ coaching staff and the way the roster is functioning together. That kind of tension can lead to firings or moves, and it’s why Philadelphia looks like a team heading toward a serious shake-up.
One name to watch is Matvei Michkov, who has reportedly said he wants to be traded during the final year of his entry-level contract. He’s talented, but there are obvious questions.
His defensive game has holes, and he has reportedly been unwilling to buy into Philadelphia’s system. The bigger question is whether he would respond differently under another coach.
Travis Green has shown he can coach and win, and if that would be enough to get Michkov to mature and commit to a structure, then the upside is huge. But the gamble is obvious too.
Travis Konecny would also fit neatly in Ottawa’s plans on the right side. Over the past four seasons, he has averaged more than 20 goals and 60 points, and he is signed through 2033 at $8.75 million per year.
On the blue line, Rasmus Ristolainen makes sense as another possible target. Ottawa knows injuries can hit its defence, and a right-shot option like that would help while giving Carter Yakemchuk more time to develop in the AHL this season.
The Panthers are the team that keeps coming back into the conversation, and not just because of the standings. They may be the Senators’ biggest rivals right now, and maybe for as long as Brady Tkachuk is with them. If given the choice between a Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Florida Panthers playoff matchup, the Panthers are the one that would be most intriguing.
As things stand, that kind of series wouldn’t happen in the first round. It would have to wait until the Eastern Conference Final. But a healthy Senators team against Florida would have everything needed for a memorable playoff battle, and the idea of a seven-game series is clearly the one that stands out most.
For now, the rematch on November 25 in Florida is the next chance to see how the Panthers answer after being dominated in every facet of their last game. The Tkachuks figure to bring their own brand of edge, and the result of that first meeting clearly left bruised egos behind. Another strong Ottawa performance would only add fuel to the argument that Florida is the Senators’ biggest rival, and maybe the one that stays that way for as long as Brady is a Panther.
The Senators also made a strong impression with their new Remix jerseys. The side-profile version of the logo has always been a standout, and the gold accents give the black sweater a sharp look.
Fanatics deserves credit for the design work across the league, and there’s a hope that the same group stays on for the next round of jersey projects. Prices keep rising, but a good-looking jersey still has a way of making the purchase feel worth it. With Christmas and the holidays approaching, Ottawa should have no trouble moving plenty of them.
There was also a political note in the mix, with Carney’s Canadian government refusing to allow the Russian team into this year’s World Juniors in Red Deer, Alberta. The decision was backed firmly, and the argument was that this is the right kind of stand to take on a global issue.
Alexander Ovechkin’s visit to the nation’s capital this week only added to the attention around the topic. Ovechkin said hockey fans want to see the best-on-best competition. The response to that was simple: hockey fans in Canada want to spend their hard-earned money supporting an event that takes a stand on what is right, all while enjoying the beautiful game.
In Other News...
Senators Just Proved Something Big Against A Stanley Cup Threat
Shane Pinto gave the Senators exactly the kind of lift they needed against a legitimate Stanley Cup threat, scoring twice and finishing it off with the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory over Colorado. Ottawa kept pace in a game that had plenty of back-and-forth, and the result pushed the Senators to 12-6-2 while handing the Avalanche a tough loss that left them at 11-6-3.
It was the sort of win that can carry weight beyond two points, especially for a team still trying to establish itself against the leagues top contenders. Ottawa got timely scoring, enough goaltending to survive the pressure, and a chance to leave the night with a statement result before both clubs move on to their next games. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Get The Boost They Needed In Wild Comeback Win
Linus Ullmarks return gave Ottawa exactly the kind of lift it needed in a tense, momentum-swinging win over Colorado. Back from injury, the Senators goalie turned aside 26 shots and helped steady a group that had to chase the game before eventually pulling out a 4-3 overtime victory, capped by Tim Sttzles winner.
The result mattered beyond the two points because it came with a reminder of how thin the margin can be in the NHL. Colorado was already dealing with the absence of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the third period, while Ottawa now has to navigate the next stretch without winger Nick Cousins for at least a week. For a team trying to build on a comeback like this, the next test is whether it can keep that edge while patching another hole in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Slump Makes This Oilers Return Feel Even Bigger
The Oilers are walking into Toronto with a little extra edge, and Connor McDavid made it clear why this one matters. For a group that includes plenty of players with ties to the area, the matchup carries the feel of a hometown event, and Edmonton has earned the right to treat it like more than just another stop on the schedule. A strong start to the season has helped fuel that mood, with the teams energy and habits drawing praise under Mike Babcocks coaching.
For Ottawa fans watching the North Division picture, the timing of Torontos slump only sharpens the spotlight on this return trip. The Maple Leafs are trying to stop a skid while Edmonton arrives playing with confidence, and those contrasting stretches give the game a little more weight than usual. It is the kind of meeting that can say something about both teams, even before the final horn tells the full story. [Read more 🡒]