Despite having already clinched a playoff spot, the Ottawa Senators’ final game of the regular season carries plenty of meaning.
After the weekend’s action, the Senators hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sens briefly held the top wild card, but the victory by the Boston Bruins over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa’s overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils gave the Bruins a one-point lead for the first wild card spot.
That situation, if the playoffs started today, pits the Senators against the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes are a formidable opponent. However, they haven’t been as dominant lately as they were earlier this season. The Canes are 7-3-0 in their last 10 and are riding a three-game winning streak.
The Canes had a 9-6-0 mark in March. That pedestrian mark allowed other clubs in the East to close the once-insurmountable gap. But a 5-1-0 April has put the Hurricanes back on top of the Eastern Conference.
That said, the Senators have picked the right time to get scorching hot. They were 3-1-1 in February, 9-4-2 in March, and 5-1-1 in April. As such, the Sens got hot at the right time and have made a compelling case to upset the Hurricanes in the first round.
It’s worth pointing out that teams that get hot at the end of the regular season can carry that momentum over into the playoffs. And that makes them a dangerous team to face in the first round. It will be especially true this postseason, with the Senators and the Hurricanes trending in relatively different directions.
What happens if Senators claim first wild card spot?
If the Senators claim the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, they would take on the winner of the Atlantic Division, which figures to be the second seed in the East.
At the moment, it could be either the Montreal Canadiens or the Buffalo Sabres. Honestly, the prospect of facing the Sabres or Canadiens should worry Senators fans more than facing the Hurricanes.
Carolina lacks the sort of star power that the Canadiens ooze. Nick Suzuki is a 100-point player, while Cole Caufield is a 50-goal scorer.
Additionally, the Sabres have a tremendously solid all-around team. Plus, they have been the hottest team in the league since turning things around in late November.
It’s worth noting that the Sabres have cooled off a bit down the stretch. They’re 5-3-2 in their last 10. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 8-2-0. If we go by that logic alone, the plucky Senators have a much better chance of beating the Sabres.
There’s another big reason why facing the Sabres might be an easier challenge. Buffalo hasn’t been to the playoffs in nearly 15 years. So, there’s no telling if the pressure of getting back to the postseason could affect them.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, faced a tough first-round exit against the Washington Capitals last spring. That’s why the Canadiens, being a more battle-hardened team, will have extra incentive to get out of the first round.
The same could be said about the Senators. Ottawa could have easily knocked off the Toronto Maple Leafs last spring. But a couple of bounces just didn’t go the Sens’ way. This year, that could change.
Ultimately, whoever the Senators face in the first round of the 2026 NHL playoffs will be in for a tough time. Ottawa fans hope this time around the first round culminates with a victory for the Senators.
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