The Ottawa Senators have clinched the postseason for the first time since 2017. At the time of writing this, we could see a Battle of Ontario in Round One matchup.
Despite losing to Columbus, 5-2, the Senators were able to make the playoffs in the first full year of Steve Staios and Travis Green.
What contributed to this success?
1. Patience is Key — Green has preached a full 82 game season mentality all season.
2. The young stars are blossoming — Tkachuk, Stützle, Sanderson, and Batherson. Merilainen had a standout December while Forsberg and Ullmark were out. Other young depth has stepped up all year while injuries occurred early on.
3. The Right Trades — Ullmark; Cozens; and Zetterlund, to name some recent ones have worked out.
4. Striding at the Right Time — December and March were the right months for the Senators to guarantee playoff revenue in April and maybe into May
5. Pests — the physicality has worked on this team; the feistiness from Tkachuk; Greig; MacEwen; Cousins; and Cozens.