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OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators have only played five games but there is already a different atmosphere in this group.
The optimism and positive attitude coming from the players could be the result of a 4-1 start to the season, but it could also come from a change in attitude.
Brady Tkachuk’s personality may not define the Senators, but there’s no denying that the former captain has a huge presence and he never shies away from it.
There is a feeling that this year’s group will want to prove that they are not defined by their former captain.
Saturday night the Senators found themselves down 2-1 to the Nashville Predators and clocked 22:21 seconds between shots during the second and third periods.
The Predators blocked 26 shots, took shots in the lane, and made the Senators work for what they got.
“Attention to detail,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “I think we’re all aware of our start and our commitment to start in a certain way to give ourselves the best chance and that’s something we have to continue to do in the future.”
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But Ottawa isn’t frustrated with the Predators. They stuck with their game plan and found a way to tie the game with 1:23 remaining when Drake Batherson was able to tip in from close range and went on to win 3-2 in the shootout.
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“I think they believe they can win any time, any night,” head coach Travis Green said. “And I think they understand the way we play, the identity we want to use, the urgency we want to play with, with the puck and away from the puck.”
Shane Pinto scored what proved to be the shootout winner and admitted that last year this team might have lost, but this year’s group was different.
“Just a different mojo,” Pinto admits. “I felt positive the whole game. You know, I think in the second half, halftime, it was pretty optimistic in the room. We knew we were coming, and I think overall, the last two weeks, we’ve had a good mindset going into the game.”
Batherson knows that learning to win close games early in the season can have a big impact later in the season.
“We have to keep playing the way we play, and the more consistent we are, the better we will be and win more games.”
This is Ottawa’s best start since the 2014-15 season.
There’s no denying that this group understands that it takes a team effort to win, especially considering they are still without defensemen Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub and will now be without William Eklund for an extended period of time.
“It was a great team effort,” said Tim Stutzle, who scored his fourth goal of the season. “We knew if we continued playing the same way in the second set, we would have a chance to win.”
The win is also special for Stutzle because he will donate $1,872 to CHEO, a children’s hospital in Ottawa, as part of a new initiative he and Thomas Chabot announced Saturday.
For every Senators win this season, the two will donate $1,872 and encourage fans to take part in the initiative as well.
“It’s very special,” Stutzle said. “Obviously, it gives you something to strive for even more than just playing hockey. It’s great. I mean, you definitely get more excited.”
The Senators have three games in four days this week starting Monday with a visit to New Jersey, followed by a home game against St. Louis. St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and New York Islanders on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2026.
© 2026 Canadian Press
