Senators Quick Hits: Ottawa Punches Playoff Ticket

You get to this time of year, and style points don’t mean much. It’s about finding a way. That’s exactly what the Ottawa Senators did Saturday night—no fuss, no drama, just a clean 3–0 win over the New York Islanders.

And with a little help on the out-of-town scoreboard, that win meant something bigger. Ottawa is heading to the playoffs. It wasn’t easy getting there, but they are in. The Senators are playing their best hockey at the right time.

Quick Hit One: Ullmark Slams the Door.

Linus Ullmark had his fingerprints all over the game. Twenty-three saves, earning his third shutout of the season. But more than the numbers, it was how controlled everything felt.

The Islanders didn’t get second chances. They didn’t get extended zone time. Ottawa kept things settled, and Ullmark cleaned up what little got through. That’s playoff-style goaltending—nothing fancy, just dependable.

Quick Hit Two: Special Teams Win the Night.

If you’re looking for the difference, it’s that Ottawa won the special teams battle, and that was the game. Ridly Greig set the tone with a short-handed goal. Then Jake Sanderson finished things off on a 5-on-3 power play.

The Senators went five-for-five on the penalty kill. Only three shots against. That’s simply locked in. This time of year, that’s how you win low-event games.

Quick Hit Three: Depth and Grit Show Up Again.

This wasn’t a top-heavy win. Michael Amadio chipped in with a goal and an assist. Greig was all over the game. The group played a full 200 feet.

And they did it without Brady Tkachuk for the final stretch. He left late on a strange play and didn’t return, and still the team didn’t wobble. That says a lot about where this group is right now—they’re confident, connected, and not relying on just one guy to carry the load.

The Bottom Line for the Senators.

A couple of months ago, this season looked like it might drift away on them. Now it’s a different story. Four straight wins, a playoff spot locked up, and a team that’s starting to look like it gets how it needs to play.

They’re not trying to out-skill teams right now. They’re out-working them, staying structured, and getting the saves when they need them. That travels. That’s the kind of game that holds up in a series.

There’s still work to do, of course. Health matters. Matchups matter. But if Ottawa keeps playing this way—tight, disciplined, and just a little bit nasty—they’re not going to be an easy out for anyone.