Senators News & Rumors: Zub, Heartbreaking Game 2 Loss & More – The Hockey Writers – Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are heading back home with their back against the wall. The first two games of their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes have been nothing short of entertaining. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as planned, and they are down 2-0 and are without one of their most reliable defensive defencemen in Artem Zub. Now, as they head home, they will need to figure out how to beat this Hurricanes team, or this series could be over Saturday afternoon.

However, before that, let’s look at the latest news and rumours surrounding the Senators.

Zub’s Status Remains Unknown

As mentioned above, the Senators are without Zub, who is arguably their best defensive defenceman. Over the last two seasons, he’s become a bit of a security blanket for Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Now without him and Tyler Kleven, who is out with an injury, they have accepted the challenge and stepped up. However, they could still use Zub in their lineup.

He brings a presence, reliability, and physicality to a lineup that doesn’t necessarily need it. But against a Hurricanes team that has a very strong forecheck, he could be exactly what Ottawa needs to help win a game and stay alive in this series. Unfortunately, up to this point, his status remains unknown, but with them not playing until Thursday, the extra day could give him more time, and he could potentially be ready to return for Game 3.

Heartbreaking Game 2 Loss

One of the hardest parts about being an athlete has to be the ability to move on from losses, wins, etc. For both teams, they have to do just that. The highs and lows that come with winning and losing, especially this time of year, have to be extremely difficult. For the Senators, it has to be very hard to move on from the emotions of the heartbreaking Game 2 loss in double overtime. Not just because they lost, but because of how they lost. There was the overturned goal that led to a penalty shot, which Linus Ullmark stood tall on, and then they had more chances and still lost and are now behind in the series 2-0.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions to watch as a fan, but to be a player in the game and on the ice for those moments must have been tough. It definitely plays a toll on a player’s psyche. But it can’t be for long; they need to move on and focus their attention on Game 3 at home to try and get back in the series. If they lose in Game 3 and fall 3-0 in the series, it will push them to the brink of elimination early in the 2026 playoffs.

What’s Next for the Senators

As mentioned, the Senators do get an extra day off between Games 2 and 3, with Game 3 set for Thursday night. They will return home to Ottawa and hope that their fans at the Canadian Tire Centre can help will them to a huge win to give them some life in the series.

It would truly be a shame for the Senators to waste such a great goaltending performance from Ullmark. Over the first two games, he has been lights out and given his team a great chance to stay alive. Unfortunately, the same can be said for Frederik Andersen, who has also been outstanding. This series has been a goaltending duel, which is something Ottawa needs to avoid if they want to win on Thursday night.