This is a stressful and incredibly exciting week to be an Ottawa Senators fan. The team is fighting tooth and nail to keep their season alive. Here are the key storylines surrounding the team and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 22-29, 2026.
The Wild Card Push Is Down to the Wire
Following a massive 5-2 victory over the provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, March 21, the Senators sit at 36-24-9 (81 points). They are currently three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Analysts note the team is “running out of runway,” making every single point this week critical.
NHL Modifies Draft Penalty
In massive off-ice news, the NHL recently amended the penalty imposed on the Senators regarding the invalidated 2022 Evgenii Dadonov trade. Instead of completely forfeiting a 2026 first-round draft pick, Ottawa has been granted the 32nd overall pick (the final pick of the first round) in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. The organization also agreed to pay a $1 million fine to the NHL Foundation Canada.
Blue Line Injuries
The Sens are dealing with a battered defensive corps. Defenceman Dennis Gilbert was injured during the recent win against Toronto, forcing Ottawa to rely on a “next man up” mentality on the blue line.
Senators Upcoming Schedule
This is a make-or-break stretch, featuring three tough road games against Eastern Conference heavyweights. The absolute focal point of the week is Tuesday’s matchup against the Red Wings. Because Detroit currently holds one of the wild card spots Ottawa is chasing, this is essentially a “four-point game” that could either close the gap or effectively end the Sens’ playoff hopes.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EDT) |
| Mon, March 23 | at New York Rangers | Madison Square Garden | 7:30 PM |
| Tue, March 24 | at Detroit Red Wings | Little Caesars Arena | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, March 26 | vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, March 28 | at Tampa Bay Lightning | Benchmark International Arena | 1:00 PM |
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