Carter Yakemchuk scores in NHL debut as streaking Senators top Red Wings, 3-2

20-year-old defenseman tallies goal and assist in first NHL game as Ottawa extends winning streak to four games.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:22am

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Carter Yakemchuk, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, scored a goal and added an assist in his NHL debut as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday night. The Senators have now won four straight games and nine of their last 11 as they continue to push for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Why it matters

Yakemchuk's impressive debut is a promising sign for the Senators' future, as the young defenseman looks to make an immediate impact at the NHL level. The win also keeps Ottawa firmly in the playoff hunt in the tight Eastern Conference race.

The details

Yakemchuk, who had been playing for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Belleville, was called up earlier in the day with several Senators defensemen sidelined by injuries. The 20-year-old from Alberta scored at 9:28 of the second period, skating in from the point and beating Red Wings goalie John Gibson on the glove side. Yakemchuk also recorded an assist as Brady Tkachuk and Lars Eller scored the other goals for Ottawa. Linus Ullmark made 32 saves in net for the Senators.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.
  • Yakemchuk scored his goal in the second period.

The players

Carter Yakemchuk

A 20-year-old defenseman from Alberta, Yakemchuk was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He was making his NHL debut after playing 50 games for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Belleville this season.

Brady Tkachuk

The Senators' captain, Tkachuk scored his 20th goal of the season in the game.

Lars Eller

The Senators forward scored one of Ottawa's three goals in the victory.

Linus Ullmark

The Senators' goaltender made 32 saves to earn the win.

Dylan Larkin

The Red Wings' captain scored a power-play goal in the third period, his first game back after missing seven games with a lower-body injury.

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What’s next

The Senators will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, while the Red Wings will visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

The takeaway

Yakemchuk's impressive NHL debut is a positive sign for the Senators' future, as the young defenseman looks to make an immediate impact at the highest level. Ottawa's late-season surge has kept them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race, setting up an intriguing final stretch of the regular season.