OTTAWA – The one factor the Ottawa Senators are frightened about proper now could be themselves.
With 13 video games remaining of their common season, the Senators are desperately preventing to safe a playoff spot. And whereas they might use somewhat assist from different groups to enhance their odds, they’re ensuring to carry themselves accountable above all.
Following a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Senators (36-24-9) sit three factors again of the Detroit Purple Wings for the ultimate wild-card berth within the Japanese Convention.
The Leafs, who’s playoff hopes had been dashed some time again, struggled to carry their very own towards their provincial rivals.
“Clearly, they caught to their recreation and what they did properly,” mentioned Toronto’s John Tavares. “They executed and made it laborious on us after which we nonetheless bought again within the recreation, however we simply couldn’t appear to make the push we wanted.”
Ottawa has been enjoying a few of its finest hockey of late going 7-2-1 by its final 10, however extra importantly are getting contributions all through the lineup.
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Taking part in with out Jake Sanderson, who suffered an upper-body harm March 7, and Nick Jensen, who suffered a torn meniscus March 11, the Senators depth at defence has been examined.
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Nicolas Matinpalo and Dennis Gilbert have confirmed to be a dependable third pairing. Gilbert’s future could possibly be questionable. He left the sport late within the third after taking a tough hit from Toronto’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
The Senators are benefiting from the pairing of Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven. Spence has been capable of present some offensive capabilities and Kleven is a gradual presence.
“It’s good to see,” mentioned Senators coach Travis Inexperienced. “They’re getting extra minutes now, clearly, with our accidents, and also you hope you have got confidence in everybody in your workforce, that when that occurs they step up and so they have. They haven’t missed a beat. They’re enjoying nearly as good as they had been, and even higher, with much less minutes.”
Whereas a lot consideration has been paid to Ottawa’s again finish there’s no denying the contributions from its forwards.
“Our depth has been superior,” mentioned Tim Stutzle. “It’s been a variety of enjoyable proper now to return to the rink on a regular basis and simply working collectively as a gaggle and making an attempt to get higher on a regular basis.”
The Senators third line of Michael Amadio, Shane Pinto and Nick Cousins is a menace at each ends of the ice.
Amadio has already set a profession excessive in factors (12G, 18A) and is properly appreciated by his teammates.
Amadio was traded to Ottawa in March 2021 and he performed 5 video games. He wasn’t re-signed by the group and Tim Stutzle was fast to level out how he had loved enjoying with Amadio throughout his first stint and was thrilled when he returned.
“He’s actually underrated for my part,” Stutzle mentioned. “He has top-of-the-line sticks within the league, out killing penalties and performs in each scenario. And simply the area he creates for his linemates. It’s been superior to see, and I feel that line has been going very well.”
Ottawa’s fourth line has additionally discovered some chemistry. Lars Eller is enjoying between Warren Foegele, acquired on the commerce deadline, and Fabian Zetterlund.
Foegele, who has targets in his final two video games, has been a stable addition.
“We’ve a variety of confidence in the best way we play and the gamers that now we have on this locker room,” mentioned Claude Giroux. “So, when you have got that confidence, you already know you don’t need to be the hero, you don’t need to do the additional play, you simply gotta belief your recreation goes to make you profitable.”
The Senators go to the Purple Wings on Tuesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 22, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
