Senators Defeat Panthers 5-1 in Playoff Push

Ottawa moves closer to securing a wild-card spot with third straight win.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:05am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice rink broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.The Senators' hard-fought victory over the Panthers showcases the intensity and strategic complexity of professional hockey.NYC Today

The Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1 on Thursday night, moving closer to securing a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Fabian Zetterlund scored two goals for the Senators, who hold the second and final wild-card spot in the East. Drake Batherson, Artem Zub, and Claude Giroux also scored for Ottawa, while Linus Ullmark made 21 saves. Jesper Boqvist scored the lone goal for the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters

The Senators' win keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot, as they look to secure their postseason position with just three games remaining in the regular season. The loss officially eliminates the Panthers from playoff contention, marking the end of their title defense.

The details

The Senators took a 3-0 lead early in the third period, with Zub, Zetterlund, and Giroux all finding the back of the net. The Panthers finally got on the board with Boqvist's goal, but Zetterlund's second tally sealed the victory for Ottawa. The Senators have now outscored their opponents 17-6 during their three-game winning streak.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The Senators have three games remaining in the regular season.

The players

Fabian Zetterlund

A forward for the Ottawa Senators who scored two goals in the game.

Linus Ullmark

The goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, who made 21 saves in the win.

Jesper Boqvist

A forward for the Florida Panthers, who scored the team's lone goal in the loss.

Sergei Bobrovsky

The goaltender for the Florida Panthers, who made 25 saves in the game.

Thomas Chabot

A defenseman for the Ottawa Senators who returned to the lineup after missing time due to a broken arm.

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What they’re saying

“We must keep this momentum going as we push for the playoffs. Every game is crucial at this stage of the season.”

— Fabian Zetterlund, Forward, Ottawa Senators

“It's disappointing to be eliminated from playoff contention, but we'll use this as motivation to come back stronger next season.”

— Jesper Boqvist, Forward, Florida Panthers

What’s next

The Senators will visit the New York Islanders on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as they seek to solidify their playoff position. The Panthers will travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on the same day.

The takeaway

The Senators' win keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot, while the Panthers' elimination from contention marks the end of their title defense. This game highlights the importance of late-season games as teams jockey for postseason positioning.