The Ottawa Senators came back from the Olympics with a cloud of negativity over them. Winning was meant to be the distraction but last game against the Detroit Red Wings did none of that. Not only did we not get the 2 points, but we handed them to a rival we are desperately chasing. The margin of error was already slim but at this point the chances for a playoff fight could be closing altogether.
The next few games will determine the Sens trade strategy as the playoff possibilities become clearer. The Sens playoff chances sit at 34% and the Maple Leafs would love nothing more than to bury them deeper.
Head-to-head game stats:
A quick glance at the head-to-head stats before we head to battle 📊#GoSensGo | @betwaycanada pic.twitter.com/1AffraGn0T
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 28, 2026
Linus Ullmark gets the start again tonight and deservingly so. Here is the remaining projected lineup:
Our projected lines for tonight’s battle of Ontario 💪
Show us your Tim Hortons Hockey Challenge picks for tonight for a chance to win great prizes courtesy of @TimHortons! pic.twitter.com/TYWb5ZGIIR
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 28, 2026
Game NotesThe last time the Sens played their Ontario rivals, it began a bit of a spiral for the team. Maybe this game can be the beginning of a season-saving roll?You have to expect this from me at this point, but they did it last game on the power play, and they need to continue to focus on special teams to win games.There have been a lot of quiet players lately and I would like to see more from the likes of Claude Giroux, Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto.The Sens should be able to beat the Leafs at this point, but this is also a game where they can easily get lost in the commotion. They need to take control of the game early and make sure to keep the pressure on the whole game.Tune into the game at 7:oo PM on Sportsnet or listen live at TSN1200