10 most important games on the 2024-25 schedule for the Ottawa Senators

Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, the Ottawa Senators will be seeking to end their seven-year playoff drought. Despite the drought, there seems to be optimism of "a breakthrough" entering the new season with the Senators trading for Linus Ullmark to solidify goaltending issues.

With the young, dynamic duo of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle, the Senators will rely on the two for career years. Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux also provide great offensive talent heading into a new season.

The Senators are getting close to catch the NHL surprise and make the playoffs, but it won't easy. With 82 games on the schedule, every game matters for a team in a playoff drought. However, some games are more important than others to win when first looking at the schedule.

10 most important games on Senators' 2024-25 schedule

One thing is for sure when Ottawa begins their season on Oct. 10, Ottawa's Ullmark is going to be the key factor for determining the season's success. Although there is a realistic ceiling and floor for Ottawa, the chance that Ullmark starts about all 10 of these games could be very likely, but having Ullmark in net gives Ottawa a better chance to win.

10. vs Florida Panthers (April 5)

A late season game in April against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will be an important game. Almost everyone expects the Panthers to defend their title and be a Cup contender again in 2025.

Now this is the part of the schedule that can help the Senators where they have eight of the last nine games of the season at home. So, if the Senators are in playoff contention when April 5 arrives, this game against the Panthers will add more drama and be a must win for the Senators.

Even if the Senators are close to out of playoff contention, this could be a game the Senators can steal from the Panthers which could impact them in the standings. April 5 is a game that will be circled on Ottawa's schedule.

9. vs Nashville Predators (Dec. 7)

One team that went big this Summer in free agency was the Nashville Predators. Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei and Jonathan Marchessault all joined the Predators in free agency. The Predators' roster looks much better with the moves they made in free agency to join forces with Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg The Predators also have reigning Jack Adams Award winner Andrew Brunette behind the bench too.

The first meeting between the Senators and Predators is in Ottawa on Dec. 7. Having a tough Western Conference contending team coming into Canadian Tire Centre will be a good test to see how Ottawa can play against top teams in the West in a month like December.

If both teams are playing tough and are early contending teams in the playoff hunt, a Saturday night crowd in Ottawa will get the fans more pumped up. The Senators also need to beat contending teams early so they can establish themselves as a tough and contending team.

8. @ New York Rangers (Nov. 1)

One thing is for sure, the defending President's Trophy winner New York Rangers are going to be ready to dominate the NHL again in 2025 after their loss in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals to the Panthers. Unfortunately for the Senators, their first game against the Rangers is at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 1.

The Senators will need to beat the East's best teams. Without a doubt, the Rangers are one of those teams. However, an early road win at MSG can get the Senators a lot of confidence, especially since the Senators struggled on the road last season.

Confidence is going to be needed by the Senators early and often this season for a team that some look at as "under-the-radar." Nov. 1 is an early test that the Senators need to be ready for.

7. vs Boston Bruins (Jan. 18)

To no surprise, the Boston Bruins have always been a tough team for the Senators to beat for years. The two teams will play in Ottawa for the first time this season on Jan. 18.

This is a game that could be a momentum swing because most expect the Bruins to be a top team in the Atlantic Division, but this could be around the time the Senators could be climbing their way up in the playoff standings in the East.

A win at home against Boston could help Ottawa gain some momentum past the halfway point of the season. With the game also being on a Saturday afternoon, it can offer to be a marquee game for both teams.

The Senators having Ullmark will also add to the drama for the game. Ullmark will be eager to put on a good performance against his old team in his new home.

6. vs Edmonton Oilers (Nov. 19)

Whenever the Edmonton Oilers come to any road arena with their superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, it will always be a game to circle on the schedule. The Senators will immediately circle their first game against the defending Western Conference champion Oilers.

The first game between the two teams will happen on Nov. 19 at Canadian Tire Centre. Having this game at home can help the Senators.

The Oilers will be wanting revenge from losing in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. Having a top contending team come into to Ottawa will offer a true test for the Senators to see how good can they be against elite teams early in the season.

The Oilers found a way to get over the hump in the West by reaching the Cup, but they will offer to be a tough team to play against again this season.

5. @ Utah Hockey Club (Oct. 22)

Making trips to the Grand Canyon State to play the Arizona Coyotes are no more for the Senators. The Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City and re-named themselves the Utah Hockey Club in 2024. The Hockey Club will welcome the Senators early to the Beehive State.

The Senators will be the Hockey Club's third game in their new home on Oct. 22. The Utah atmosphere is something every team will have to get used to, but an advantage for the Senators is they will experience it early with an October showdown.

The excitement around Utah was very high once the move from Arizona to Utah was announced. If the Senators can go into Utah and earn a road win, they can shut up the Hockey Club crowd. Playing in a new and exciting atmosphere is crucial for a young team to experience like the Senators.

4. vs Toronto Maple Leafs (Nov. 12)

The Senators will circle a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs whenever the schedule gets released. The first meeting between the Maple Leafs and Senators is set for Nov. 12 at Canadian Tire Centre.

The Battle of Ontario intensifies more with every meeting. This season offers new excitement for Senators fans against the Maple Leafs with the trade for Ullmark. In his last four starts against the Maple Leafs, Ullmark went 3-1-0. Having Ullmark gives Ottawa an extra boost to play against their biggest rival.

When Nov. 12 arrives, Ontario is going to be buzzing for an important November meeting. Beating the Maple Leafs can have the Senators get confidence early into the season which can help them big.

3. @ Seattle Kraken (Dec. 17)

The Senators going to Emerald City to take on the Seattle Kraken is a huge game. The game against the Kraken on Dec. 17 marks the first game of the nine-game road trip for the Senators.

For this game to be the beginning of the nine-game road trip is huge because playing on the road is never easy. If the Senators can start the road trip off with a big win in Seattle, this will help them gain confidence to start playing on the road.

One big road win can lead to another on this road trip. Having nine consecutive road games is tough, but a win in Seattle can not only set the tone for the rest of the road trip, but the season too. The Senators can't put themselves far back in the standings on the road trip starting with a loss to the Kraken. This road trip for the Senators is too important.

2. vs Florida Panthers (Oct. 10)

The first game of any season always will provide new optimism and excitement. Senators fans can't wait to hear Ullmark's name get introduced on opening night on Oct. 10. Unfortunately, the Senators opponent is tough with it being the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

This could be a game that if the Panthers win, they would ruin a lot of excitement among the Senators fans and team. A win for the Senators will get the team confident with the thought that the 2024-25 season could be special.

An old common saying is "to be the best, you have to beat the best." The Senators will be using that with the defending champions coming into Canadian Tire Centre to start the season. Any win on opening night can get the fans in the mood of something special could be in the air.

1. @ Boston Bruins (Nov. 9)

The most important game on the schedule might also be an emotional one for Ullmark when the Senators play the Bruins at TD Garden on Nov. 9. The game marks the first game between the Bruins and Senators since the trade of Ullmark.

Boston is always going to be one of the teams to beat. Ullmark will need to put on a stellar performance in net to show why the Bruins should've kept him over Jeremy Swayman.

With emotions being high for Ullmark entering the game returning to Beantown, he will need to put the love from the Boston fans aside.

This also sets up the most important game because this game can determine if Ottawa has the ability to not only win on the road but also have the ability to take down top teams. Winning in Boston is never easy, but this game could add an extra spark for the Senators, particularly Ullmark.