Senators Face Rangers in Crucial Playoff Matchup

The Ottawa Senators travel to Madison Square Garden on Monday night to face the New York Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network) in a game with significant playoff implications for Ottawa. While the Rangers’ playoff hopes are dwindling, the Senators remain in contention for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Playoff Picture for Ottawa

As of March 23, 2026, the Senators are four points behind the New York Islanders for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot and five points behind the Boston Bruins for the first wild card. They are similarly five points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Division.¹

Ottawa has 12 games remaining, including seven against teams currently in a playoff position. Their only scheduled game against the Islanders, Bruins, or Canadiens is April 11 on Long Island.

Comparing Schedules

Here’s a look at the remaining schedules for the teams vying for playoff spots:

• Montreal Canadiens: 13 games left, including eight against current playoff teams.
• Boston Bruins: 12 games left, with eight against clubs in a current playoff position.
• New York Rangers: 11 games left, and six are against teams in playoff position.

Stathletes Projections

According to projections from Stathletes, the Canadiens are favored to finish with the most points (101.0), securing the No. 3 spot in the Atlantic. The Bruins (98.4) and Senators (98.0) are projected to earn the wild cards, edging out the Islanders (96.0).¹

Senators’ Head-to-Head Record

If Ottawa secures a wild card berth, their performance against potential playoff opponents will be crucial. Here’s how the Senators have fared against those teams this season:

• Buffalo Sabres: Lost both games, with one game remaining on April 2.
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Won their only game on October 9, with two matchups remaining.
• Carolina Hurricanes: Lost both games, with one game remaining on April 5.

Recent Results

Recent game scores from March 22, 2026:

• Winnipeg Jets 3, New York Rangers 2 (SO)
• Colorado Avalanche 3, Washington Capitals 2 (SO)
• Carolina Hurricanes 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
• Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
• New York Islanders 1, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
• Vegas Golden Knights 3, Dallas Stars 2
• Calgary Flames 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
• Anaheim Ducks 6, Buffalo Sabres 5 (OT)
• Utah Mammoth 4, Los Angeles Kings 3 (OT)

Standings Snapshot (March 23, 2026)

Here’s a look at the current standings as of March 23, 2026:

Atlantic Division

Buffalo Sabres: 95 points (37 regulation wins), 11 games left, 99.9% playoff chance.¹

Tampa Bay Lightning: 91 points (34 regulation wins), 13 games left, 99.9% playoff chance.¹

Montreal Canadiens: 86 points (26 regulation wins), 13 games left, 87.5% playoff chance.¹

New York Islanders: 86 points (29 regulation wins), 12 games left, 69.5% playoff chance.¹

Boston Bruins: 84 points (27 regulation wins), 12 games left, 39% playoff chance.¹

Ottawa Senators: 81 points (30 regulation wins), 13 games left, 68% playoff chance.¹

Metro Division

Carolina Hurricanes: 96 points (32 regulation wins), 12 games left, 99.9% playoff chance.¹

Pittsburgh Penguins: 86 points (29 regulation wins), 12 games left, 87.3% playoff chance.¹

Columbus Blue Jackets: 85 points (26 regulation wins), 12 games left, 92.7% playoff chance.¹

New York Rangers: 85 points (26 regulation wins), 11 games left, 37.8% playoff chance.¹

Note: An “x” with a team’s name indicates the club has clinched a playoff spot.