In the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Ottawa Senators were eliminated in six games by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then, the Senators have had to watch the rest of the playoffs from home.
The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals will begin tonight between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Senators don't have any former players on either team that have a shot to win the Stanley Cup.
Tomorrow, the 2025 Western Conference Finals will begin with a rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. On both teams combined, there are five former Senators who can still play for the 2025 Stanley Cup
5 ex-Senators are alive in Western Conference
Heading into the 2025 Western Conference Finals, two former Senators are on the Oilers and three former Senators are on the Stars. So, who are they some might ask?
Josh Brown
This season is Josh's first season with the Oilers. Josh only played in 10 games for the Oilers during the regular season and one game during the 2025 playoffs. Despite only playing in just the first game of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, Josh still has a chance to be in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Connor Brown
Connor was part of the Oilers' Western Conference championship team last year. Connor has turned into a solid role player on the Oilers during the playoffs.
In the 2025 playoffs, Connor has recorded seven points. Connor has recorded two multi-point games in the playoffs.
Matt Duchene
The former third overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft is still seeking his first Stanley Cup in his career, but Duchene has a solid chance to do it. Duchene was on the Stars last season and scored a pivotal overtime winner to send the Stars to the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
However, Duchene has struggled in the 2025 playoffs with recording five points, but has scored no goals. Duchene's -9 rating is the second lowest on the Stars during the playoffs.
Evgenii Dadonov
Dadonov turned into one of the most underappreciated Stars with scoring 20 goals in the regular season, but his production has dipped during the 2025 playoffs with recording four points.
Both Dadonov and Duchene had their hearts broken with losing to the Oilers in last year's Western Conference Final, so both of them will be eager to get some revenge.
Cody Ceci
For Ceci, the role is switched. Ceci was part of the Oilers' Western Conference championship team last season. Now, he's on the opposite side with being the Stars in 2025.
Ceci has recorded three assists for the Stars in the 2025 playoffs, but has been helpful defensively. Ceci was a trade deadline pickup for the Stars from the San Jose Sharks.
All five former Senators have never won the Stanley Cup before in their career. While it's no guarantee these five former Senators will win the 2025 Stanley Cup, being a conference champion will be a guarantee some of these five players.