The Ottawa Senators have been underwhelming on and off the hockey rink this season. Their performance could have been better since the new interim coach, Jaques Martin, took charge. Currently sitting bottom in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, their odds of reaching the playoffs are increasingly looking bleak.
After 47 games, the Senators have secured 20 victories while tasting defeat 27 times. They are placed 8th in their division, with 42 points. After the disastrous last season, the team was expected to go into a rebuilding phase; Now it seems the Sens will take more than a season to return to their prime.
In their last 15 NHL games, The Senators have suffered nine losses, which shows their tumultuous form at the start of this year. Despite this, they have been victorious in their last two fixtures, with their most recent win coming against Red Wings away from home on 1st February.
The Ottawa Senators hold a home record of 13-14-0 and an away record of 7-13-0 in the 2023-24 season. Sens are looking to continue their 2-match winning streak on the 11th of February when they will face the Maple Leafs in the Canadian Tire Centre. With almost more than half the season gone, it is time for the Sens to pull up their socks and get things in order if they wish to reach the playoffs.
Trade Deadline Rumours
Considering their poor form, a busy trading business is expected for the Sens. With the trade window closing in less than a month, General Manager Steve Staios is preparing for an epic trade-off to put new life into the team. The 32-year-old right winger Vladimir Tarasenko will likely be traded in the upcoming window. Tarasenko has scored 13 goals and provided 20 assists for the Senators.
Jakob Chychrun is another prospect for Ottawa in the transfer market as Steve Staios weighs his trading options. He has been a part of media speculations regarding trading rumors lately. The 25-year-old Sens defenseman can be traded off, with the March 8 deadline just a few weeks away. The General Manager also didn’t rule out a possible trade if the contract extension fails to take place.
To fill the defensive gap left by Chychrun, the Sens are rumoured to be eyeing Calgary Flames’ Mckenzie Weagre to fill the void and strengthen their defense. However, to meet the salary expectations of the Flames defender, the Senators will have to involve something more than just Chychrun in the trade-off. Making this move successful will be a massive achievement by the Sens since Weagre is among the NHL’s leading lamp-lighters from the blue line this season, scoring 12 goals for the Flames.
Senators Odds to Reach Playoffs
The leading sportsbook in Canada and America, like Betvictor Canada, has posted the odds and likelihood of the teams reaching this season’s playoffs. The odds projected a +25000 chance for the Senators to secure their place in the playoffs.
As things stand, the Sens’s chances of making it to the playoffs look thinner than ever. But an opportunity in the form of a trade window is present for the team’s think tank. Senators are facing serious depth issues in their rooster. Steve Staios can pull some strings to reinforce the squad depth for the later half of the season. Some valuable additions in the critical positions can help the Sens finish the season on a high note.
Unfortunately, the lack of squad depth is not Ottawa’s only crisis. The off-season acquisition, Joonas Korpisalo, has struggled in the goal post this season. The goaltender is rocking a .889 save percentage in the 2023-24 NHL season. But his defensive partners need to be helping more, too. The defensive structure is all over the place, leading to easy giveaways and counterattacks. Poor goaltending and awful defensive structure are a recipe for disaster for any team, and the Sens are living this reality.
Amidst the surmounting issues, the Sens are gearing up to host their arch-rivals, the Maple Leafs, on Sunday. The hosts are committed to showcasing their ability to make a memorable comeback against a tough side. The contest, often called the “Battle of Ontario,” can be pivotal for the remainder of the seasons for the sens. Winning against their traditional rivals will give them a much-needed boost for the upcoming campaign.
Despite their shaky defense, The Senators’ Brady Tkachuk has been lethal in front of the opponent’s net this season, scoring 22 goals and stealing 41 points for the team. Anton Forsberg has turned up well in the goaltending position during their recent win against Detroit. Sens certainly have the potential to defy expectations and turn their season around.
Final Thoughts
Even though the Senators are in deep waters in terms of their division rankings, there is still time to salvage the situation by bagging consecutive victories in the upcoming games. Steve Staios is expected to rebuild and strengthen the team’s roster during this transfer window. This could lead to a complete turnaround in the upcoming performance of the Sens. It is too early to write off the Senators at this stage of the season. However, they must bring out their A-game to proceed to the playoffs.
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