The Ottawa Senators have officially ended their long playoff drought. After seven years of missing out, they are finally back in the NHL postseason, and they’re set to face their biggest rivals — the Toronto Maple Leafs — in what promises to be a thrilling first-round series.
Their regular-season finale on Thursday night was a perfect reflection of their journey — full of ups and downs, twists and turns. Ottawa defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5 in a dramatic, emotional game that felt more like a movie script than a hockey match.
From 3-0 to 5-3 to 7-5: A Fitting Finale
The Senators jumped to a 3-0 lead early in the first period, only to give up five unanswered goals. But just when it looked like another collapse, the Sens roared back to win it 7-5. It was a game that summed up Ottawa’s entire season — unpredictable, emotional, and full of fight.
Captain Brady Tkachuk, playing his first game since March 30, said after the win, “Definitely not seven years,” when asked if he expected the team’s rebuild to take so long. But he believes everything happened for a reason — and now the team is ready to climb even higher.
The Fall: From 2017 Playoff Run to Rock Bottom
Back in 2017, the Senators came within one win of the Stanley Cup Final. But then came the downfall. After a strong start to 2017-18, they crashed out of playoff contention and started trading away key players like Derick Brassard, Dion Phaneuf, and Mike Hoffman.
From the Karlsson trade in 2018 to the infamous Uber video scandal, things only got worse. The team traded away stars like Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel. Ottawa hit rock bottom, finishing near the bottom of the standings year after year.
The Rebuild: New Faces, New Leadership
The years of struggle eventually brought a wave of young talent. The Karlsson trade led to Tim Stützle and Josh Norris, while draft picks and smart moves added Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig, Tyler Kleven, and others to the mix.
Off the ice, the team saw major changes. Businessman Michael Andlauer bought the franchise in 2023. Steve Staios replaced Pierre Dorion as GM. Coach D.J. Smith was replaced by Travis Green, who helped stabilize the team and guide them into the playoffs.
The Rise: Talent Blossoms and Playoff Dreams Return
As the team rebuilt, its stars began to shine. Claude Giroux was signed to bring leadership. Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, and Brady Tkachuk grew into core players. Goalie Linus Ullmark, acquired last year from Boston, had a standout season with 25 wins — the most by a Sens goalie since Craig Anderson in 2017.
In their final regular-season game, nearly every young star contributed: Kleven, Greig, Pinto, and Sanderson all recorded points. Batherson scored twice, including the game-tying goal. And in a brilliant moment of individual skill, Stützle scored the final goal by weaving through three defenders.
The Canadian Tire Centre crowd erupted with joy and Ric Flair-style “Woo” chants, cheering the Senators into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Battle of Ontario Awaits
The Senators now face the Atlantic Division winners, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in a highly anticipated series. Brady Tkachuk is expected to be ready for Game 1, and fans are already buzzing. His older brother, Matthew Tkachuk, warned Toronto’s defense, saying Brady has “a lot of built-up anger” and will be a nightmare to face.
Meanwhile, Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz called the upcoming series a “blood bath.” Brady responded simply: “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Now, with history behind them and excitement ahead, the Senators will look to turn their years of rebuilding into a deep playoff run.
