With Jake Sanderson out for Game 4, Carter Yakemchuk will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for his playoff debut on Saturday. The 20-year-old defensemen will hopefully add a much-needed offensive boost to Ottawa's lineup after they scored only three goals in their first three playoff games. He appeared in only four total games prior to the playoffs, picking up a goal, two points and two PIMs.
Crotty made his playoff debut in Game 3 but will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Saturday as Dennis Gilbert draws back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Crotty only appeared for 8:59 TOI in Game 3, but was a -1 plus/minus.
Despite Ullmark playing outer-worldly through the first three games of Ottawa's opening series, the Senators find themselves down 3-0 and on the edge of elimination on Saturday for Game 4. Ullmark has been the Senators' best player, posting a .933 SV%, 2.02 GAA and 0-3-0 record. He will look to keep Ottawa's season alive at home Saturday, as they host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have outscored them 7-3 in the series.
Sanderson exited Ottawa's 2-1 Game Three loss on Thursday in the second period shortly after receiving a high hit from Carolina's Taylor Hall, potentially leading to his concussion. The 23-year-old defenseman has two assists through three games in the series. In a must-win Game Four, the Senators will need to rely more heavily on Thomas Chabot in Sanderson's absence.
Sanderson exited Ottawa's 2-1 Game Three loss on Thursday in the second period shortly after blocking a shot with his hand and an awkward collision, but it's unclear which event is related to his injury. The 23-year-old defenseman has two assists through three games in the series, and his status for Game Four on Saturday is uncertain.
Ullmark has never won a playoff series as the goalie of record, and the odds are against him with the Senators trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. That said, the 32-year-old Swedish goalie has been exceptional, saving 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) through two games (0-2-0). The Senators will need Ullmark at his best again on Thursday in Game Three, entering the action as -118 home favourites in an attempt to narrow their series deficit to 2-1.
Ullmark has never won a playoff series as the goalie of record, and the odds are against him with the Senators trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. That said, the 32-year-old Swedish goalie has been exceptional, saving 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) through two games (0-2-0). The Senators will need Ullmark at his best again on Thursday in Game Three, entering the action as -118 home favourites in an attempt to narrow their series deficit to 2-1.
Lassi Thomson will be a healthy scratch in Game Three, allowing Crotty to enter the lineup for his postseason debut. The 26-year-old Crotty was serviceable in six games for the Senators late in the season, averaging 14:55 time-on-ice and scoring one assist.
Kleven has been sidelined for over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup and make his postseason debut in Game Three. The 24-year-old defenseman had a breakout season, becoming a reliable blueliners for the Senators, averaging 17:21 time-on-ice and scoring 18 points (3G / 15A) in 70 games.
Beckman was a fourth-round pick, 97th overall, by the Senators in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old goalie recently completed a sensational 15-game stint in the QMJHL, posting a 13-1-0 record along with a 1.52 GAA and .940 SV% with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Zub exited Game One on Saturday after only 7:44 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and is unavailable for Game Two on Monday. The 30-year-old Zub averaged 20:48 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (5G / 25A) in 81 games this season.
Ullmark played well for the Senators in Game One, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%), but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old Swedish goalie has never won a playoff series while being the goalie of record, posting a 3.22 GAA and .888 SV% in 17 career playoff appearances (5-11). The Senators enter a pivotal Game Two as +129 road underdogs.
Ullmark played well for the Senators in Game One, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%), but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old Swedish goalie has never won a playoff series while being the goalie of record, posting a 3.22 GAA and .888 SV% in 17 career playoff appearances (5-11). The Senators enter a pivotal Game Two as +129 road underdogs.
Zub exited Game One on Saturday after only 7:44 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is uncertain for Game Two on Monday. The 30-year-old Zub averaged 20:48 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (5G / 25A) in 81 games this season.
Kleven missed the final seven games of the regular season and is questionable to play in Game 1 in Carolina. Kleven was on the ice for Friday's practice, but skated as an extra, signalling that he may be unavailable to open the series. Head coach Travis Green said that Kleven is closer to playing, but likely won't announce any lineup changes ahead of warmups.
Merilainen has played well in the AHL as of late and figures to serve as Ottawa's third goalie throughout the postseason. Merilainen has gone 8-8-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .909 SV% in 19 AHL games, bu struggled with Ottawa, posting an 8-10-1 record, 3.51 GAA and .860 SV% in 20 games.
Fresh off his NCAA Championship loss, Blake Montgomery has signed a three-year entry-level contract with Ottawa on Wednesday. The 20-year-old towering defensemen was Ottawa's 2024 4th round pick (117th overall) and had nine goals and 17 points in 38 games in his first season in Wisconsin (NCAA) after coming over from London (OHL) the previous season.
