There is a reason to believe that the Ottawa Senators can achieve bigger things this upcoming 2025-26 season. After ending an eight-year playoff drought last season, higher expectations will be placed.
Captain Brady Tkachuk has lifted the Ottawa community more than ever. With Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, Shane Pinto, Jake Sanderson and Ridly Greig alongside Tkachuk, core players make up a big part of the Senators roster.
With making a playoff appearance last season, there's reason to believe the Senators can make a bigger jump in the standings. However, a new projection was made regarding point totals, and it might be a slam dunk the Senators achieve it.
Senators over point total might be a slam dunk to take
Today, Sara Civian of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "Over/Under Win Predictions for Every NHL Team's 2025-26 Regular Season." In the article, it included all 32 teams' point projection from DraftKings and whether or not to take the over or under point total.
The Senators' over/under for points according to the article was 95.5. Civian projected to take the over on the Senators. With how last season went and the roster put together, taking the over might be a slam dunk after all.
"The Ottawa Senators are here to stay, and they're in the sweet spot of 'still caring about the regular season' and 'perennial playoff team,'" Civian said about the Senators. "They'll come back with some swagger."
At first glance, the point projection total may be disrespectful for the Senators. Last season, the Senators recorded 97 points and finished as the first Wild Card seed in the Eastern Conference.
Having the point projection lower than last season's point total in which a team is hungry to be a consistent playoff team after an eight-year playoff drought, may be a sign of disrespect. However, the Senators are capable of exceeding that point total.
Along with Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the way offensively, most of roster from last season is back for another season. This off-season, Steve Staios re-signed Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins to have quality offense and leadership remain.
Batherson, Pinto and Greig are three core players who each had career years last season. Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund were both trade deadline acquisitions this past March, but both have their first full season as a Senator awaiting them.
Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen will give the Senators plenty of opportunities to win games, and are one of the best goaltending duos in the NHL.
Stutzle mentioned earlier this month that he wants the Senators to be a consistent playoff team down the road. With the roster put together and being hungry coming off a playoff loss to the hated Toronto Maple Leafs, extra motivation will be on the Senators.
The Senators will begin their 2025-26 season on Oct. 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road to first show their growth from last season.