The Ottawa Senators need to finish their road trip with a win. While that might sound dramatic, this game could change the momentum of their whole season. It may just be another game against the Red Wings, but it might be one we look back at and say, “That was the turning point.”
As the Ottawa Senators wrap up a grueling nine-game, 26-day road trip, they find themselves clinging to a Wild Card spot.
The trip began on a high note, with a six-game win streak propelling the team into playoff contention. However, after dropping their final game before the holiday break—and losing goaltender Linus Ullmark in the process—things have taken a turn for the worse.
Since Ullmark’s injury, the Senators have posted a disappointing 1-4 record, looking a shadow of the team that dominated before the break. The competition has only gotten tougher, with Ottawa facing the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars over 11 days.
On January 3rd, the Senators were shut out by the St. Louis Blues, marking only their second such loss of the season (the other coming against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 16th).
The final game of this extended road trip comes on Jan. 7th against the Detroit Red Wings. The Sens defeated the Red Wings 2-1 at home earlier this season and will be looking to emulate that performance.
If the Senators can find it in this last game, they have the opportunity to come out of the road trip with a winning record, having won four and lost four so far.
Ullmark, who was outstanding in December with a .966 save percentage over a five-game win streak, is still day-to-day after suffering a back injury on December 22nd. He is expected to be available for the Detroit game, which would be a welcome return for a team in need of stability.
For the Senators, this game against the Red Wings is more than just another contest—it’s a must-win if they hope to remain in playoff contention. A loss would put them on a three-game losing streak, which, while not their worst stretch of the season, would be a tough way to head home.
January is shaping up to be a pivotal month for the Senators. While February is traditionally a critical stretch just before the trade deadline, January offers several key opportunities for the team to solidify their playoff position.
Ottawa has games against some lower-tier opponents like the Buffalo Sabres, where they’ll need to pick up wins. At the same time, matchups against divisional rivals such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins, will be crucial. The Senators are currently tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Wild Card spot and will face off against them again in January. Every point will matter in the tight race for playoff positioning.
When looking at their schedule, it feels like every game is a must-win with how close the Wild Card hunt is and the All-Star break and trade deadline looming far closer than they may appear.
For the first time in several seasons, the Ottawa Senators may be in a position to buy at the deadline. If they can keep themselves in it long enough, adding some extra star power to this team could give them the boost they’ve been missing these past few years.
But it all starts with a strong end to this whirlwind road trip.
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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