The Ottawa Senators will put away the beach balls and return to the frozen pond on Tuesday afternoon.
The 16 players who weren’t invited to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy will be on the ice at 2 p.m. at the Canadian Tire Centre to begin preparations for the resumption of the chase for a playoff spot in eight days.
Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson are still competing overseas with Team USA, along with centre Tim Stutzle (Germany), defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo (Finland), centre Lars Eller and minor-league goalie Mads Sogaard with Denmark.
The last time we saw the Senators, they were leaving the ice on Feb. 5 after scoring a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on the road. Then they headed their separate ways for the National Hockey League’s Olympic break.
That was the club’s fifth win in six games, but with only 25 games left on the schedule, the Senators are six points out of the final wildcard spot in the East, and aren’t exactly in control of their own destiny as they prepare to face the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 26.
The Senators were playing some of their best hockey heading into the break, but they need to pick up where they left off with only one of their first five games at home. Ottawa has to win 19 of its last 25 games, which would put the club in the mix.
Here are some questions that need to be answered as the Senators return to the office:
Back from the Olympics
The Senators were well represented at the Winter Olympic Games, which can be a blessing and a curse.
Team USA coach Mike Sullivan has raved about the play of Brady Tkachuk so far at the Olympic Games. ‘He drags everybody into the fight, literally and figuratively,’ Sullivan said. ‘That’s what we love about him. He’s an elite player.’
First, and foremost, the Senators need all their players to return healthy, and there is still hockey left to be played for some of them. The big three: Tkachuk, Sanderson and Stutzle play key roles for this club.
Stutzle had five goals in five games heading into the Olympics, but was also playing well at both ends of the ice. A lot of nights, he’s the straw that stirs the drink with his skills and abilities.
He is tied for the lead in goals at the Olympics with four heading into Germany’s qualification game against France on Tuesday.
Tkachuk and Sanderson have made an impression at the Games.
Team USA coach Mike Sullivan can’t say enough good things about Tkachuk and his impact.
“He’s a beast, he’s a beast. His energy is contagious. He’s so vocal on the bench, in between periods, he’s a positive guy,” Sullivan said on the weekend. “He drags everybody into the fight, literally and figuratively. That’s what we love about him. He’s an elite player.
“His hockey sense is underrated and flies under the radar. Because I think when people think of Brady, they think of his brute and his brawn. He certainly brings that element, but I don’t think he gets enough credit for how intelligent he is as a hockey player.”
Tkachuk has been an absolute force to be reckoned with at the Games, and let’s be honest, he is most nights for the Senators. He’s hungry to make the playoffs again with this club.
Buy or sell?
Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, has stated his belief in this group. Now, with the NHL trade deadline set for March 6 at 3 p.m., it’s time for the organization to determine what route it wants to take.
By all accounts, Staios wants to be a buyer. If the Senators get strong goaltending down the stretch, then there is little doubt that they can make a push for a playoff spot. Selling off assets for draft picks doesn’t make sense for this group.
By all accounts, Steve Staios, the Ottawa Senators’ president of hockey operations and general manager, wants to be a buyer at the trade deadline, writes Bruce Garrioch.
The Ottawa Citizen has reported that the Senators have a genuine interest in Calgary Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to help the right side. He would fit in the top four, and we’re led to believe he would waive his no-move clause to suit up in his hometown.
But the Senators have also been searching for help up front. You have to think it would be easier for those answers to come from within. Veteran David Perron is expected back from hip surgery early next month, and the club has some depth up front.
Save the day
Linus Ullmark is back from a 35-day leave of absence for mental health reasons and was strong in his first two appearances.
He was a late scratch in the club’s game against the Flyers because of flu-like symptoms, but that doesn’t appear to be anything to be concerned about. Ullmark will be asked to carry the ball down the stretch to get this club to the playoffs.
Ullmark has a 16-8-5 record with an .884 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average in 30 appearances this season. He was the key to the club getting back into the playoff picture last year, and, hopefully, that can be the case again this season.
With 25 games left, he’ll have to play 75 per cent of those, which is about 19 games. Backup James Reimer has been reliable since he was signed in January. He shouldn’t play much down the stretch, but should step in when necessary.
The bottom line
We’ll find out if rest is a weapon for the Senators.
Those who aren’t at the Olympics have had time to regroup to prepare for the challenge of returning to the post-season. The Senators have 11 games left against Atlantic Division teams; if they’re to close the gap, then all of those are must-wins.
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