It has been seven long seasons since the Ottawa Senators last reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That stretch follows a run in which the Senators made the playoffs in 16 out of the prior 20 years. In what is a great hockey town, fans are rightfully getting impatient with a yearning to see their team return to the postseason. In 2024-25, this team has their work cut out for them to get over the hump.
Ottawa Senators predictions
- Linus Ullmark will be a Vezina finalist
- Special teams will make or break this team
- The Senators squeeze into a Wild Card spot
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Linus Ullmark will be a Vezina finalist
The Senators didn't make a splash in the offseason, but a couple of key additions were made. They signed veteran and Stanley Cup-winning forward David Perron. The Senators also acquired defenseman Nick Jensen and the 2023 Vezina trophy winner, Linus Ullmark. In the last three seasons, Ullmark has certified himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL.
Ullmark was on a timeshare in Boston with fellow star goalie Jeremy Swayman. That will no longer be the case, as Ullmark arrived to provide stability and consistency to the Ottawa net. With new head coach Travis Green behind the bench for his first season in Ottawa, there will be an emphasis on cleaning up the defensive side of the puck. Ullmark is a great goalie on what looks to be an improved team. Look at his Vezina Trophy prop before it loses value.
Special teams will make or break this team
Last season, the Senators power play ranked 23rd in the NHL, and their penalty kill ranked 29th. Weak special teams don't create positive results in the regular season or postseason. This team has a very strong top-six forward and a strong top-four defenseman. With the size and offensive creativity up front, there is no excuse for Ottawa's power play not to be a top-10 unit.
With big, tough, minute-eating defensemen in front of a top goaltender in the NHL, the penalty kill should be much improved. If Ottawa can improve on both sides of special teams, it should coincide with contending for a playoff spot. If special teams remain a weakness, they will have an uphill battle. Look for an emphasis on improving special teams this season and what it does for their place in the standings.
The Senators squeeze into a Wild Card spot
This is a good roster, plain and simple. They underachieved last year and have a gauntlet of a division and conference. But if they stay healthy, with the unique mix of youth, talent, and experience, in addition to a strong goalie, this team can crack the postseason.
Given the top-end talent in the division, the Senators will likely be one of many teams competing for a Wild Card spot. They have a new coach, a new goaltender, a captain who just saw his brother hoist the Stanley Cup, and a very frustrated fanbase. This Senators team will be all-systems-go in order to claim a playoff spot.
