The Ottawa Senators are at the halfway point of the 2025-2026 season, and the team finds itself in a precarious position, battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 20-16-5, the Senators are four points out of a Wild Card spot. While that is a slight improvement from the 20-18-3 record at the same juncture last season, significant concerns linger.
One of the most glaring issues has been the team's inconsistent goaltending. General Manager Steve Staios has publicly acknowledged that the goaltending has not met expectations, with both Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen struggling to provide the stability needed to backstop a playoff contender. Statistically, Ottawa's goaltending ranks near the bottom of the league in save percentage, and they have allowed significantly more goals than expected based on shot quality. Ullmark, in particular, has struggled to live up to the expectations set by his lucrative contract.
Offensively, the Senators have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency remains elusive. While the team's goal production has improved compared to last season, advanced metrics suggest that they may be overperforming relative to their shot quality. The absence of captain Brady Tkachuk, who is dealing with a thumb injury, has further compounded these concerns, as his net-front presence and puck retrieval skills are difficult to replace. However, Stützle is likely the Senators MVP at the halfway point. He leads in goals, assists, and points. He is also being utilized on the penalty kill, averages nearly two hits per game, and has a faceoff win percentage of 55%.
The Senators' special teams have been a mixed bag. Their power play ranks among the league's best, but their penalty kill has been a significant liability. Improving the penalty kill will be crucial for the team's success in the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, the Senators face a challenging schedule in January, with several matchups against division rivals and top teams from around the league. To secure a playoff berth, they will need to address their goaltending woes, find more consistent offense, and improve their penalty kill. The performance of key players like Tkachuk, once he recovers from his injury, will also be critical.
Despite the concerns, there is still reason for optimism in Ottawa. The team has shown the ability to compete with top teams, and players like Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson have emerged as offensive leaders. If the Senators can address their weaknesses and build on their strengths, they still have a chance to make a playoff push in the second half of the season. As Steve Staios stated, "We'll contend when we're ready to contend. I think that we're continuing to build towards that".
