The Ottawa Senators defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs last night 3-0 to improve to 8-7-0 on the season. Some might not have expected the Senators to have eight wins on Nov. 13, but they do.
Confidence is rightfully riding high on the Senators with earning two consecutive road wins against Atlantic Division teams. The Senators are now holding the second Wild Card spot with 16 points.
As the Senators host the Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET, it's the start of an important stretch in November. With the Senators' schedule the way it is for the next six games, they can find themselves in a position move atop the standings, but the schedule will be tough.
Senators have five of the next six games at home to climb atop the standings
With confidence riding high after beating the Bruins and Maple Leafs for the past two games on the road, the Senators now find themselves at home for five of the next six games. The Senators so far this season have a 5-2-0 record to add another boost of confidence.
Next six games on Senators schedule:
Tomorrow vs Philadelphia Flyers 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 16 @ Carolina Hurricanes 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 19 vs Edmonton Oilers 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 21 vs Vegas Golden Knights 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 23 vs Vancouver Canucks 7 p.m. ET
Nov. 25 vs Calgary Flames 7 p.m. ET
All six of these teams are tough on the schedule. Five of the six teams currently have a spot in the 2025 playoffs. While the Flyers are the only team out of the playoffs as of now, they are still two points behind the Senators in the Eastern Conference.
With defeating the Bruins and Maple Leafs for the past two games, the Senators have proved they can play with the top teams in the NHL. In five of their seven losses, the Senators lost by two goals or less.
Even in defeat the Senators played tough against the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and the Golden Knights. When the Senators lost 2-1 to the Rangers, Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist gave the Senators high praise for the intensity they had in the game.
In games the Senators have won, they have been tough grueling wins. Four of the Senators' eight wins have come against teams in the Atlantic Division. Two wins have come when the offense has exploded for eight goals in a game.
With already having five home wins, this stretch is crucial to help the Senators to get ahead in the standings. Although they do play the Hurricanes on the road, the confidence of playing on the road is higher fore the Senators with earning back-to-back road wins.
Linus Ullmark will have his hands full with all six teams having good offenses, but Ullmark's confidence is high with earning two consecutive wins and recording his first shutout as a Senator last night. However, when Ullmark gets hot in between the pipes, he's even a tougher goaltender to beat.