Making the playoffs after eight years and losing to a hated rival like the Toronto Maple Leafs can give a team huge motivation to build off of for a new season. Last night, the Ottawa Senators kicked off the 2025-26 regular season.
Last night, the Senators defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4. The Senators were down 3-1 after the first period, but won the game in regulation in a tough road environment.
Even though it's one game, people will give a team criticism on whether or not the team looks better or worse from the previous year. For the Senators, the team already has one word to describe them after last night's game.
Sens are enticing to watch after game one
Earlier today, Sara Civian of Bleacher Report wrote and article titled "1 Word for Every NHL Team at the Start of the 2025-26 Season." For the Senators, Civian's one word for the team was "enticing."
"An opening-night 5-4 win over the Lightning is a good start, with three assists for the Sens' captain," Civian said.
One thing is for certain, Brady Tkachuk showed why he wears the C on his Senators jersey with recording three assists in the win last night. However, it wasn't just Tkachuk that delivered.
Shane Pinto and Artem Zub each recorded a three-point game along with Tkachuk. Pinto in particular was clutch with sscoring a go-ahead goal with under two minutes remaining to give the Senators a 4-3 lead. Pinto then added an assist on Claude Giroux's game-winning empty-net goal, which turned out to be crucial due to Nikita Kucherov scoring with under 15 seconds left for Tampa, but it was too little too late for Tampa to force overtime.
Jake Sanderson also had a solid game with recording two assists in the win, and Dylan Cozens showed he can grow more with scoring the opening goal of the season on the powerplay.
The game itself showed how enticing it can be for the Senators to show how good they can be this season. The Senators trailed 3-1 after the first period, to then winning the game in regulation.
One game into the new season and the Senators have showed heart over hype again. Game two of the Senators new season will be tomorrow night against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.
Tomorrow offers as another chance to show the potential the Senators have heading into this season.