Oilers and Senators Clash in Edmonton with Trade Deadline Looming
The Edmonton Oilers return home to Rogers Place to face the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following a challenging three-game road trip through California. Both teams are navigating critical points in their seasons, with Edmonton aiming to solidify its playoff position and Ottawa fighting to remain in the Eastern Conference wild card race.
Senators Battling for Playoff Position
Ottawa enters the game with a record of 29-22-8, currently holding the 12th position in the Eastern Conference. They have secured three points in their last two games since the Olympic break, including a 5-2 victory over Toronto NHL.com. Despite ranking 11th in the league in goals scored (3.29 per game) and eighth on the power play (23.6 percent), the Senators’ struggles lie in their defensive game.
The team ranks 21st in goals against, with a combined save percentage of .874 from five different goaltenders. Linus Ullmark, a former Vezina Trophy winner, has a save percentage of .885 with minus-9.0 goals saved above average in 32 games iHeart Sports.
Oilers Gaze to Stabilize Defensive Game
The Edmonton Oilers (29-24-8) are coming off a mixed road trip, scoring 17 goals but only winning one game. Their recent struggles defensively have prompted General Manager Stan Bowman to acquire veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Murphy, with 805 games of NHL experience, is expected to provide stability to the Oilers’ blueline, potentially partnering with Darnell Nurse. Head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the team’s defensive miscues, emphasizing the need for improvement in protecting the slot Oilersonation.
Recent Head-to-Head Record Favors Edmonton
Historically, the Oilers have dominated the matchup against the Senators. Since sweeping Ottawa in the 2021 All-Canadian division, Edmonton holds a 15-2-1 record against them. A win on Tuesday would mark their fourth season-series sweep over Ottawa in six years Oilersonation. The Oilers won the first meeting this season 3-2 in overtime in October.
Game Details
- Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM MT
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
- Venue: Rogers Place
- Watch: ESPN+ ESPN
Key Players
- Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid (103 points in 61 games), Leon Draisaitl (35 goals, 54 assists in 58 games), Evan Bouchard (69 points in 61 games)
- Ottawa Senators: Tim Stützle (28 goals, 63 points in 59 games), Drake Batherson (21 goals, 51 points), Jake Sanderson (48 points)
Tuesday’s game presents an opportunity for both teams to address their respective challenges. Ottawa aims to bolster its playoff hopes with a strong performance against a Western Conference opponent, while Edmonton seeks to solidify its defensive structure and capitalize on home-ice advantage.