The NHL season has been full of surprises, especially in the Atlantic Division. Three teams – the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and Detroit Red Wings – started this season with the same dream: to finally reach the playoffs after years of missing out. But while the Sabres and Red Wings have struggled again, the Ottawa Senators are getting very close to achieving that dream.
Senators Have Nearly Secured a Playoff Spot
According to moneypuck.com, the Senators have a 99.5% chance of making it to the playoffs this season. That’s a huge achievement for a team that hasn’t played in the post-season for seven years. Meanwhile, big teams like the Boston Bruins have slipped in the Atlantic Division, and in the Metropolitan Division, teams like the New York Rangers and Islanders are also outside playoff spots right now.
The New Jersey Devils have stepped up in the Metro, and there’s a tight fight going on for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. But Ottawa seems to have locked down the first wild-card position.
What Makes the Senators Different?
One of the biggest reasons the Senators are ahead of teams like the Sabres and Red Wings is their defense. Last season, Ottawa allowed too many goals — 3.43 per game, which placed them 28th in the league. But this season, they’ve made a huge improvement and now rank 13th, letting in only 2.84 goals per game.
In comparison, Detroit allows 3.18 goals per game (ranked 22nd) and Buffalo gives up 3.56 (ranked 29th). That’s a big reason why those two teams are falling behind.
Team save percentage also shows a similar story. The Senators rank 9th at 0.901, while Detroit is 21st (0.889) and Buffalo is at the bottom — 31st — with just 0.877. This is a big jump for Ottawa, who were also 31st in save percentage last season.
Smart Changes Behind Ottawa’s Success
Ottawa’s general manager, Steve Staios, made some bold moves this season. He brought in head coach Travis Green, who added much-needed discipline and structure to the team. He also brought in goalie Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins and traded to get defenseman Nick Jensen, even though it meant losing Jakob Chychrun.
These changes have made a big difference. Jensen has not only been a strong shutdown defender but has also helped improve teammate Thomas Chabot’s performance.
Team Effort and Defensive Strength
Players like Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot have helped Ottawa become a fast, skilled team that’s much harder to score against. Even though their offense has slightly dropped this season — from 3.05 goals per game last year to 2.88 now — their overall performance is better. Last season, they had a goal differential of minus-26, but now they’re in the positive with a plus-2 rating.
This shows that even if they score a little less, their improved defense is helping them win games.
Playoff Challenge Ahead
If the Senators hold their current position, they will face a strong team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, or Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. It won’t be easy, but their solid defense gives them a real chance to compete.
If goalie Ullmark plays well and the team scores enough goals, the Senators can not only break their long playoff drought but might even go far in the post-season.
Sadly for the Sabres and likely for the Red Wings, this year’s playoffs will be something they only get to watch from the sidelines.
The Ottawa Senators have shown that smart decisions, strong defense, and a united team can lead to big improvements. While their offense has dipped slightly, their focus on limiting goals against and getting better performances from their goalie and defenders has paid off.
With a playoff spot almost certain, the Senators are on track to end a seven-year wait and finally compete in the post-season again. Meanwhile, teams like the Sabres and Red Wings need to go back to the drawing board if they want to join that success in the future.
