NHL Playoff Showdown: Senators vs. Sharks
As the NHL playoff scenario intensifies, the Ottawa Senators are set to face the San Jose Sharks this Sunday afternoon at 5 PM (broadcast on TSN 5 and TVAS). This matchup is crucial for both teams vying for playoff positions, with Ottawa (33 wins, 23 losses, 9 overtime losses) currently trailing the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings by five points for the wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. The Senators do have an advantage, having played fewer games than Boston, and a showdown with Detroit is on the horizon next Tuesday.
Recent Performance and Challenges
The Senators’ recent encounters with Western teams underscore a challenging reality; if Ottawa were part of the Western Conference, their playoff prospects might look brighter, as only three teams there have better records than the Senators’ .577 win percentage.
Meanwhile, the Sharks (32 wins, 22 losses, 6 overtime losses) currently occupy the second wild card position in the West, holding just a one-point lead over teams like Seattle and Los Angeles. Both Ottawa and San Jose are fighting tooth and nail to secure postseason berths, which may affect their performance due to potential fatigue. San Jose partook in a match against the Montreal Canadiens the previous night, claiming a 4-2 victory, while Ottawa managed a solid 2-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the day with Linus Ullmark achieving a shutout.
Goalie Matchup and Player Highlights
Typically, one might expect teams playing back-to-back games to turn to backup goalies; however, on his 38th birthday, James Reimer will not face his former team, the Senators. Instead, the Senators will rely once again on Ullmark, especially since it’s a special day for him with a bobblehead giveaway. Comedy aside, it was noted that the design of Ullmark’s figurine could use some improvement, especially its notably unstable trapper.
The Senators will encounter another goalie—Laurent Brossoit—who has recently transitioned from the AHL, marking his first NHL appearance since April 2024. Brossoit, brought up from the AHL ranks, was the backup against Montreal on Saturday and comes in following the Senators’ experiences with formidable goalies in their last two matches.
This game also signifies the return of two familiar faces: Adam Gaudette and Zack Ostapchuk. Gaudette, who netted 19 goals for Ottawa last season, has switched to the Sharks, scoring 14 goals and assisting 7 times across 51 games. Meanwhile, Ostapchuk, acquired during a trade for Fabian Zetterlund last year, has been averaging limited ice time as a fourth-liner.
Injuries and Key Players
On the injury front, Ottawa is still missing defenseman Jake Sanderson, whose absence has created substantial gaps on the blue line. However, the remaining team members have risen to the occasion, as demonstrated by their two shutout victories since his injury. Particularly noteworthy is Jordan Spence, who logged significant minutes against the Ducks, showcasing a strong performance alongside Thomas Chabot.
The main challenge for the Senators will be to contain Macklin Celebrini, whose exceptional 94 points in 64 games make him a formidable opponent. However, they will not contend with another rising star, Igor Chernyshov, who suffered a concerning head injury in a recent game against Montreal after a collision with Mike Matheson.
Looking Ahead
Projected lineups for both teams indicate a mix of regular players and substitutes, illustrating the adjustments teams are making as they inch closer to the playoffs. The ongoing excitement and competitiveness of this matchup highlight the stakes as teams strive for the chance to play in the postseason.
