The Ottawa Senators are currently on the NHL Olympic Break. The season is paused to accommodate the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, until Feb. 25.
Several key Senators players are competing for their national teams. There is a major “Sens vs. Sens” collision course in Group C, where Brady Tkachuk (USA), Tim Stützle (Germany), and Lars Eller/Mads Søgaard (Denmark) will all play against each other this week.
The “Group of Sens” (Group C Showdowns)
The biggest narrative for Ottawa fans is the composition of Group C at the Olympics. By coincidence, the USA, Germany, and Denmark were all drawn into the same group.
This guarantees that Senators’ teammates will play against each other three times. The highlight is Sunday, Feb. 15, when Tim Stützle (Germany) faces his NHL captain Brady Tkachuk and defensive partner Jake Sanderson (USA).
Bragging rights in the locker room will be intense when they return to Ottawa in late February.
The Playoff Push Paused
Entering the break, the Senators are in the thick of a volatile playoff race. As of the break, the Senators are hovering around the Wild Card “bubble” with a record of 28-22-7.
The team ended the pre-Olympic schedule with a critical 2-1 OT win over the Philadelphia Flyers but remains in a position where they must play “nearly unbeatable” hockey upon returning to secure a spot. The break offers rest for non-Olympians but risks cooling off their recent momentum.
Tim Stützle: Germany’s Star
Unlike Team USA or Canada, which are loaded with NHL All-Stars, Tim Stützle is a primary offensive engine for Team Germany. Stützle will likely play massive minutes and carry the weight of his national team’s offense alongside Leon Draisaitl.
No Senators on Team Canada
Despite the Olympics being a best-on-best tournament, no Ottawa Senators players were named to the final Canadian men’s roster.
This has been a topic of debate for fans, particularly regarding whether any Sens forwards (like Claude Giroux, had he been younger, or Drake Batherson) could have made the cut as depth options. The lack of representation means Ottawa fans in Canada will be cheering for a team with no local NHL ties.
Related – Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey Tournament
Senators Olympic Schedule This Week
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Senators Involved |
| Thu, Feb 12 | 3:10 PM | Germany vs. Denmark | Stützle (GER) vs. Eller, Søgaard (DEN) |
| Thu, Feb 12 | 3:10 PM | USA vs. Latvia | Tkachuk, Sanderson (USA) |
| Sat, Feb 14 | 6:10 AM | Germany vs. Latvia | Stützle (GER) |
| Sat, Feb 14 | 10:40 AM | Finland vs. Italy | Matinpalo (FIN) |
| Sat, Feb 14 | 3:10 PM | USA vs. Denmark | Tkachuk, Sanderson (USA) vs. Eller, Søgaard (DEN) |
| Sun, Feb 15 | 1:10 PM | Denmark vs. Latvia | Eller, Søgaard (DEN) |
| Sun, Feb 15 | 3:10 PM | USA vs. Germany | Tkachuk, Sanderson (USA) vs. Stützle (GER) |
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