The Ottawa Senators are navigating a week filled with crucial matchups and key storylines as they push to climb out of the bottom half of the Atlantic Division. Here's a breakdown of the week ahead:
Schedule:
- December 21: @ Boston Bruins, 7:00 PM EST at TD Garden.
- December 23: vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7:00 PM EST at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- December 27: @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 PM EST at Scotiabank Arena.
Linus Ullmark's Performance
The performance of goaltender Linus Ullmark is a major point of discussion. After a shaky start to December, Ullmark seems to be finding his form, demonstrated by his recent shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the game against the Penguins, Ullmark made 23 saves, securing his first shutout of the season and the 13th of his career. His save percentage is .877, and his goals-against average is over 3.00. For the Senators to solidify their playoff aspirations, Ullmark needs to consistently perform at his Vezina-caliber level. On December 18th, Ullmark was confirmed to be in net against the Penguins. The Senators won that game 4-0. Born on July 31, 1993, Ullmark was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2012 and traded to the Ottawa Senators on June 24, 2024.
Injury Concerns
The Senators are currently grappling with several injuries to key players, testing the team's depth. Veteran center Lars Eller is sidelined for several weeks due to a broken foot. Forward Shane Pinto is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Tyler Kleven sustained a lower-body injury during the game against the Chicago Blackhawks and will miss the game against the Boston Bruins. However, there's positive news as defenseman Thomas Chabot has returned to the lineup after recovering from an upper-body injury. Chabot had missed 15 games.
Offensive Firepower
Despite the team's inconsistencies, Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson have been consistent offensive performers. Stützle leads the Senators with 37 points, while Batherson has contributed 32 points. Captain Brady Tkachuk has also been on a hot streak, scoring multiple goals in recent games, including an overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets. In the recent game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the top line of Tkachuk, Stützle, and Fabian Zetterlund combined for 16 shots on goal.
Team Performance and Standings
The Senators have displayed a "one step forward, two steps back" pattern this season. They are currently seventh in the Atlantic Division with a record of 17-13-4. They're in the wild card race but need consistent wins to avoid falling behind teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins. The team is currently on a good run, having won four of their last five games.
The Ottawa Senators face a challenging but important week as they seek to solidify their playoff chances. Key factors will be the performance of Linus Ullmark, managing the injury setbacks, and maintaining consistent offensive output from their top players.
