Ottawa Senators News

Samuel Ersson had a poor showing in Ottawa's previous game, his second start of the season, and will return to his familiar role as understudy to Linus Ullmark, who has started the 2026-27 season tremendously. Ullmark is coming off a poor 2025-26 season, posting a 2.73 GAA and a career-worst .891 SV% in 49 games (28-12-8). That said, the 33-year-old Swedish goalie has been near-perfect this season, posting an absurd 1.27 GAA and a .948 SV% in five games (5-0-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -157 home favourites against a 3-3-0 New York Islanders team.

Eklund left the ice early in the first period during last Thursday's 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, needing assistance due to an ankle injury. He had surgery one week later and will be out until at least late December. The 23-year-old Swedish forward was getting favourable deployment early in his tenure with the Senators and scored two points (1G / 1A) in four games.

Sanderson has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in the first period of Ottawa's season-opening game, but appears to be nearing a return. He will miss at least one more game, with his next chance to return being on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Samuel Ersson had a poor showing in Ottawa's previous game, his second start of the season, and will return to his familiar role as understudy to Linus Ullmark, who has started the 2026-27 season tremendously. Ullmark is coming off a poor 2025-26 season, posting a 2.73 GAA and a career-worst .891 SV% in 49 games (28-12-8). That said, the 33-year-old Swedish goalie has been near-perfect this season, posting an absurd 1.27 GAA and a .948 SV% in five games (5-0-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -157 home favourites against a 3-3-0 New York Islanders team.

Crotty has not played in over a week due to an undisclosed injury, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 27-year-old Crotty played six games for Ottawa last season, averaging 14:55 time on ice and scoring one assist.

Zub missed all of training camp and has yet to play this season due to a knee injury he suffered in the playoffs. The 30-year-old defenseman has battled injuries in his career, but his coming off of a career-best season, scoring 30 points (5G / 25A) in 81 games.

With Linus Ullmark off to an outstanding season, the Senators haven’t had to deviate from him much, but they will turn to Ersson on Tuesday in the tail end of a back-to-back. The 26-year-old Ersson struggled in his only start, allowing four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Senators enter Tuesday’s contest as slight -101 home underdogs against a 2-2-1 St. Louis Blues team.

Ullmark has been outstanding to start the 2026-27 season and will return to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie has won all four of his outings, posting a dazzling 1.34 GAA and .942 SV%. That said, the Senators enter Monday's contest as slight +110 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team coming off a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.