The Ottawa Senators have officially punched their ticket to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row. It is a massive achievement for a young core that has finally proven they belong in the contender conversation. However, that isn’t the only news that is surrounding the club.
Here is the latest news and rumours surrounding the Senators as they prepare for the first round.
Tkachuk’s Good to go for Game 1
The biggest concern was the status of their captain Brady Tkachuk. He suffered an injury during Saturday’s win over the New York Islanders when defenceman Ryan Pulock’s stick caught him in the head and neck area. Tkachuk sat out Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, and the team is calling it a precautionary measure to make sure he is 100% for the playoffs.
Related: Senators Week Ahead: Rise of Sanderson & Ullmark’s Second Star
Reports suggest that while Tkachuk will miss the regular-season finale on Wednesday, the expectation is that he will be ready to lead the group when the postseason begins this weekend. Losing Tkachuk for any amount of time would be a major blow, but it seems the Senators are just playing it safe with their captain.
Chabot’s Return Still Shocking to Many
Thomas Chabot has pulled off something pretty remarkable that has shocked the entire league. He returned to the lineup last Thursday against the Florida Panthers, just 17 days after breaking his arm. The original timeline was four to eight weeks, but Chabot looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, logging heavy minutes and giving the power play an immediate boost.
Having a healthy him back alongside Jake Sanderson gives the Senators a defensive one-two punch they haven’t had for most of the second half. Sanderson has been playing very well lately. So, having those two back together at the top of the lineup makes Ottawa a much tougher team to deal with in a seven-game series.
Battle of Ontario Finale
The Senators have one game left on the schedule, and it just happens to be the final instalment of the Battle of Ontario. They host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Related: Canadiens News & Rumours: Caufield, Blue Line Injuries & More
While the Maple Leafs are officially out of the playoffs and looking toward the draft lottery, this game still matters for Ottawa. They are currently just one point behind the Boston Bruins for the first wild-card spot. If they can win on Wednesday and get some help, they could jump into that top wild-card position and potentially avoid a first-round matchup with a team like the Carolina Hurricanes.
