Ottawa Senators Playoff Picture Comes Into Focus

Brady Tkachuk and Co. Aim for Deep Postseason Run After Clinching Wild Card Spot

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted hockey game, with players' forms broken down into angular, overlapping shapes in vibrant colors, capturing the Senators' injured stars and their challenging playoff path.The Ottawa Senators' playoff push faces obstacles as key players battle injuries, requiring a fractured, multi-dimensional approach to overcome a formidable first-round opponent.Buffalo Today

The Ottawa Senators have clinched a Wild Card playoff berth, ending a seven-year drought. Despite missing key players like captain Tim Stützle and defenseman Jake Sanderson, the Senators have surged into the postseason on the strength of their goaltending and emerging young stars. The team is likely to face either the Carolina Hurricanes or Buffalo Sabres in the first round, setting up potentially challenging but winnable matchups.

Why it matters

The Senators' return to the playoffs is a major milestone in their rebuild, showing the team's young core led by Brady Tkachuk has developed into a legitimate contender. How they perform in the postseason could determine the trajectory of the franchise, either validating their progress or exposing areas that still need improvement.

The details

After missing the playoffs for seven straight seasons, the Ottawa Senators clinched a Wild Card spot with a late-season surge. The team has been led by the goaltending of Linus Ullmark, the two-way play of Norris Trophy candidate Jake Sanderson, and the offensive talents of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle. While Stützle, Sanderson, and others have missed time with injuries, the Senators have proven they can win without their full lineup.

  • The Senators clinched their playoff berth on April 2, 2026.
  • Ottawa defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on April 2, 2026.
  • The Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on April 5, 2026.

The players

Linus Ullmark

The Senators' starting goaltender who has battled mental health struggles but has played a key role in the team's playoff push.

Jake Sanderson

A Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman who has anchored Ottawa's blue line this season.

Brady Tkachuk

The Senators' star forward and team captain, leading the offensive charge.

Tim Stützle

A talented young forward who has missed time with injuries but is a key part of Ottawa's core.

Rasmus Dahlin

The star defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, who have emerged as a potential first-round opponent for the Senators.

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What they’re saying

“Even playing without their captain, the Senators put their best foot forward to prove that their rebuild has been a resounding success.”

— Ayushi Dutta, Author

“Notwithstanding the opponent, the Senators have very high odds of coming out of the first round unscathed, given their recent record. At the rate at which things have been going for Ottawa, they could be looking at a very long playoff run.”

— Ayushi Dutta, Author

What’s next

The Senators will await their first-round opponent, which is likely to be either the Carolina Hurricanes or Buffalo Sabres. The team will hope to have its injured players, including Stützle and Sanderson, healthy and ready to go for the start of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Ottawa Senators' return to the playoffs after a seven-year drought is a testament to the team's resilience and the development of its young core. While they may face a tough first-round matchup, the Senators have proven they can win without their full lineup and are poised for a deep postseason run.