The Ottawa Senators have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.
The Sens didn’t make it happen with a win in Columbus Tuesday night, but a Detroit loss in Montreal also did the trick.
The team’s last playoff run went to the cusp of the Stanley Cup final, losing in double-overtime to eventual champion Pittsburgh May 26, 2017.
No player remains who hit the ice for one of those playoff games. The roster saw significant turnover up to new owner Michael Andlauer taking over in September 2023.
Ottawa lost 60 per cent of its games in the seven seasons since that playoff run, allowing the team to draft and develop key young players such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson.
As fan frustration grew over that talent base being unable to take the next step into the post-season, general manager Steve Staios swung trades over the last year for starting goalie Linus Ullmark and centre Dylan Cozens.
Ottawa’s playoff seed and first-round opponent are not yet set. Among the likeliest possibilities are a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, or a Battle of Ontario with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time in the playoffs since 2004.
The regular season ends next Thursday.
