Ottawa Senators News

Linus Ullmark has started Ottawa's first three games this season (1-2-0), but he will get the night off on Wednesday when Merilainen tends the twine for the first time this season. The 23-year-old Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1). Entering the 2025-26 season as the Senators' undisputed backup, the Finnish netminder should have no problem passing his career-high 11 starts from a season ago. The Senators enter Wednesday's action as -117 road favorites against a frustrated 0-3-0 Buffalo Sabres team that has been outscored 10-2.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. Ottawa's head coach, Travis Green, said the team and doctors are trying to determine if Tkachuk will need surgery to address the injury. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season.

Batherson has been sidelined for Ottawa's first three games this season, recovering from an upper-body injury, but will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old has three points (0G / 3A) through three games this season. Ottawa's head coach, Travis Green, did not provide an update but confirmed that he was not held out for precautionary reasons, as he indeed was not able to play.

MacDermid appeared in Ottawa's first two games this season, averaging 4:30 time-on-ice and recording a five-minute major for fighting. The 31-year-old was limited to only 23 games last season, with the New Jersey Devils and returns to a familiar spot as a healthy scratch on Monday against the Nashville Predators, allowing Olle Lycksell to draw into the lineup.

Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence will make the Senators' season debut on Monday against the Nashville Predators, resulting in Nikolas Matinpalo and Donovan Sebrango to be healthy scratches. The 27-year-old Matinpalo has zero points and a -1 plus/minus rating through two games this season.

Kurtis MacDermid will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Nashville Predators, allowing Lycksell to suit up in a Senators sweater for the first time. The 26-year-old Lycksell played a career-high 19 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season, averaging 11:53 time-on-ice and scoring five points (0G / 5A).

Donovan Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo will be healthy scratches on Ottawa's blueline on Monday against the Nashville Predators, allowing Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence to make their season debuts. The 24-year-old Spence played a career-high 79 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season, averaging 16:47 time-on-ice and scoring 28 points (4G / 24A), and will suit up in a Senators jersey on Monday for the first time.

Ullmark has showcased less-than-desirable results through two games this season (1-1-0), allowing 10 combined goals of 52 shots (.808 SV%), and hopes to rebound on Monday, tending the twine against the Nashville Predators. The 32-year-old Ullmark had a serviceable first season in Ottawa in 2024-25, posting a 2.72 GAA, .909 SV%, and four shutouts in 44 appearances (25-14-3). The Senators enter Monday's contest as -166 home favorites against the Predators.

Donovan Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo will be healthy scratches on Ottawa's blueline on Monday against the Nashville Predators, allowing Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence to make their season debuts. The 23-year-old Kleven played a career-high 79 games last season, averaging 14:28 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (4G / 6A).

The Senators will start their season on Thursday with Ullmark tending the twine against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old Ullmark battled some injuries in his first season with the Senators but was solid when called upon, posting a 2.72 GAA, .909 SV%, and four shutouts in 44 outings (25-14-3). Still, the Senators enter Thursday's contest as +154 road underdogs against a Lightning team that led the league offensively last season (3.59 GF/GP).

The Senators will start their season on Thursday with Ullmark tending the twine against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old Ullmark battled some injuries in his first season with the Senators but was solid when called upon, posting a 2.72 GAA, .909 SV%, and four shutouts in 44 outings (25-14-3). Still, the Senators enter Thursday's contest as +154 road underdogs against a Lightning team that led the league offensively last season (3.59 GF/GP).

Batherson suffered an upper-body injury earlier in training camp but returned to practice on Wednesday. He has been ruled out of Thursday's season-opening matchup but could make his debut on Saturday. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played. He will likely play an integral role in Ottawa's offence this season.

Batherson suffered an upper-body injury earlier in training camp but returned to practice on Wednesday and has not been ruled out for Thursday's season opener. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played. He will likely play an integral role in Ottawa's offence this season.

Batherson suffered an upper-body injury earlier in training camp and will miss at least one more week after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played. He will likely play an integral role in Ottawa's offence this season.

Kleven will begin the 2025-26 season on Injured Reserve, recovering from an undisclosed ailment. The 23-year-old defenseman played a career-high 79 games last season, averaging 14:28 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (4G / 6A).