Ottawa Senators Gain Momentum in Playoff Race with Growing Confidence

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 23, 2026 7:28 AM ET

Ottawa Senators Gain Momentum in Playoff Race with Growing Confidence

The Ottawa Senators are pushing hard to reach the playoffs with 13 regular-season games left. Their record stands at 36-24-9, three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Standings and recent form

Ottawa picked up a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. That win added momentum as they chase a postseason berth.

The club has gone 7-2-1 over its last 10 games. That stretch has helped the Senators gain momentum in the playoff race with growing confidence throughout the roster.

Defensive challenges and depth

Injuries have tested Ottawa’s blue line. Jake Sanderson has been out since suffering an upper-body injury on March 7.

Nick Jensen also remains sidelined after tearing a meniscus on March 11. Younger defenders have filled the gap.

Nicolas Matinpalo and Dennis Gilbert have formed a dependable third pairing. Gilbert left the recent game late after a heavy hit from Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The pairing of Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven has impressed. Spence has shown offensive upside while Kleven provides a steady presence.

Coach Travis Green praised the group for stepping up and maintaining performance despite reduced minutes.

Forwards contributing across lines

Offensive depth has been a theme for Ottawa. Tim Stutzle noted the locker room is enjoying the current run.

The third line of Michael Amadio, Shane Pinto and Nick Cousins has been effective at both ends. Amadio set a new career high with 12 goals and 18 assists this season.

Amadio first joined Ottawa in March 2021 for a brief stint. His teammates say his playmaking and penalty killing are valuable.

The fourth line features Lars Eller between Warren Foegele and Fabian Zetterlund. Foegele, acquired at the trade deadline, has scored in each of his last two games.

Veteran Claude Giroux emphasized that team confidence allows players to trust their roles and play without forcing outcomes.

Game notes vs. Toronto

Toronto forward John Tavares commented that Ottawa stuck to its game plan and made scoring difficult. The Leafs pushed back but failed to mount a decisive comeback.