For the first time in eight years, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are returning to the Canadian capital.
Despite a 5-2 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators got some help on the out-of-town scoreboard as the Atlantic Division rival Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings. With it, the Senators clinched their first postseason appearance since 2017.
On the season, the Senators sit 42-30-6 to hold down the first wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference with 90 points. While still having four games remaining in the regular season, it already marks the Senators’ best showing since their 98-point finish in 2016-17.
In the offseason, the Senators identify a need in net and ultimately brought in former Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark. With his new club, the 31-year-old Swedish-born goaltender has shined as through 43 appearances he has posted a 23-14-3 record coupled with a .911 save percentage, 2.66 goals-against average and four shutouts. Combined with solid showings from regular backup Anton Forsberg, this season has seen the Senators tighten up defensively, having allowed the 10th fewest goals against.
Offensively, the Senators are headlined by 23-year-old German-born forward Tim Stutzle who has approached point-per-game production in registering 21 goals and 51 assists in 78 contests. Originally chosen third overall by Ottawa in the 2020 NHL Draft, Stutzle has totaled 319 points over five seasons and 363 career games.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs will mark the first postseason appearance for Stutzle, as it will for Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Though currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, the power forward has posted 29 goals and 26 assists for 51 points in 71 games this season. While yet to play in the playoffs, Tkachuk gave a preview of his big-game efforts earlier this year where through four games with his native United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off he scored three times while also bringing an intimidating physical presence.
