2017 was the last time that the Ottawa Senators made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It doesn't feel long ago for Senator fans that the Senators were one win away from playing in their second Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
As the 2024-25 season is two nights away, the Senators will be looking to snap their playoff drought. The Senators have made great progress in the 2024 preseason with finishing 5-1-1, and are looking to carry momentum over into the regular season.
Most people will expect the Senators to miss the playoffs in 2025 for the eighth consecutive season. However, a new season always offers a new sense of confidence and hope for any team to make the playoffs, and the Senators can have reason to believe they can make the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
4 reasons why the Ottawa Senators will make the playoffs in 2025
Making the playoffs in 2025 will be tough for the Senators with playing in a tough Atlantic Division. Even with playing in a tough division, the Senators won't be afraid of a challenge, and have the ability to be a sneaky team to make the playoffs.
4. Superstar duo takes off
The Senators are led by their superstar duo of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. Even when Ottawa has missed the playoffs with them, both of them have had stellar seasons. If Ottawa is going to return to the playoffs in 2025, both of them will need to take off and post career years.
For the past two seasons, Tkachuk has posted the two best seasons of his career. Tkachuk posted a career-high 83-point season in 2022-23, and last season recorded the most goals in a season in his career with 37. Tkachuk's 37 goals last season also led the Senators. Tkachuk is due for a season where he can top 85 points or even higher.
Stutzle last season recorded 70 points, down from his 90-point explosion in 2022-23. However, Stutzle recorded the most assists of his career last season with 52. Stutzle's 52 assists last season led the Senators. Stutzle has turned into a great play maker and can have the ability to top 60 assists or higher this season.
Both players will be heavily relied on the offense to produce offense. With Tkachuk being known for scoring goals, and Stutzle being known for his play-making, both can have career-highs in categories this season.