Seven games into April, the Ottawa Senators have confidence riding high. After their 4-3 overtime win on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers, the second and final meeting against the Chicago Blackhawks has arrived.
The Senators are a confirmed lock to be the first Wild Card seed in the Eastern Conference. Realistically speaking, the Senators have nothing to play for in the next two games, but having momentum stumbled before the regular season ends could hurt them right before the playoffs start.
Sens host Hawks in Ottawa
The Senators host the Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Sunday was a tough grinding win for the Senators against the Flyers. The Senators never held a lead in the entire game. Tim Stutzle's second goal of the game in overtime would win it for Ottawa on a powerplay.
In the win, Thomas Chabot recorded a three-point game for the first time since February 2023. Anton Forsberg made 29 saves to earn the win and Fabian Zetterlund recorded his second goal over the past three games.
As for the Blackhawks, they come into tonight's game with a 24-46-11 record. This season has been a rough one for Chicago as they will finish with the second worst record in the NHL. However, the Blackhawks did upset the Montreal Canadiens last night 4-3 in a shootout to prevent the Canadiens from clinching a playoff spot.
Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 43 assists and 64 points. Ryan Donato leads the Blackhawks with 31 goals.
In the first meeting between the Senators and Blackhawks on March 5, Stutzle scored an overtime winner to help the Senators win their first game in Chicago since December 2016.
The win in Chicago may have led to irony because the 2016-17 season was the last time the Senators made the playoffs. Now, the Senators will be playing in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.