Matinpalo will make his first appearance for the Sens since January 24th, slotting in for the injured Jake Sanderson (upper-body). Matinpalo is yet to score a goal and has just four assists in 30 games this season.
Sanderson was limited to 12:52 time-on-ice in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Seattle Kraken, exiting with an undisclosed injury, and, after undergoing further testing, has been ruled out on a week-to-week basis. The 23-year-old Sanderson has been held off the scoresheet in three straight games, but has 48 points (11G / 37A) in 62 games this season and will be sorely missed by a surging Senators' team that makes a late-season playoff push. With Sanderson sidelined, expect Thomas Chabot to take his spot on the team's top powerplay unit.
Sanderson was limited to 12:52 time-on-ice in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Seattle Kraken, exiting with an undisclosed injury, and will undergo further testing. The 23-year-old Sanderson has been held off the scoresheet in three straight games, but has 48 points (11G / 37A) in 62 games this season. If Sanderson misses any time, expect Thomas Chabot to take his spot on the team's top powerplay unit.
Foegele struggled with the Los Angeles Kings this season, scoring only nine points (7G / 2A) in 47 games, and hopes a change of scenery can give him a boost. The 29-year-old Foegele is just one season removed from a career-high 46 points (24G / 22A) in 82 games.
Ullmark struggled in his previous game, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers, and hopes to redeem himself on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Despite his blip against Edmonton, the 32-year-old Ullmark has played well since returning from a multi-week leave of absence, posting a 2.37 GAA and .902 SV% in five games (3-0-2). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -163 road favourites against a Flames team coming off a 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Ullmark was solid in Ottawa's previous game, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old Swedish goalie has played well since returning from a multi-week personal leave of absence, posting an impressive 1.74 GAA and .919 SV% in four games (3-0-1). The Senators enter Tuesday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost five of their last six games (1-5-0).
Ersson will get the tail-end of Philadelphia's back-to-back on Thursday after serving as Dan Vladar's backup in last night's loss to the Capitals. Ersson struggled in his last start way back on January 29th, allowing five goals on 20 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Bruins. The 26-year-old has been amongst the worst goaltenders in the league this season, posting an ugly .856 SV% and 3.51 GAA across 24 appearances. The Flyers enter action on Thursday at +120 on the money line.
Stutzle played well for Team Germany at the Olympics, scoring six points (4G / 2A) in five games, and is healthy enough to return to the Sens lineup on Thursday. The 24-year-old Stutzle is having a terrific season, with 61 points (28G / 33A) through 57 games. He had 10 points (6G / 4A) while riding a seven-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Stutzle played well for Team Germany at the Olympics, scoring six points (4G / 2A) in five games, but his return to the Senators' lineup may have to wait, as he is battling an illness. The 24-year-old Stutzle is having a terrific season, with 61 points (28G / 33A) through 57 games. He had 10 points (6G / 4A) while riding a seven-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but he will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%. Ottawa needs a strong finish to the season to return to the playoffs, beginning by entering Thursday's game as -151 home favourites against a Red Wings team that defeated them 4-3 in their previous meeting.
Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but he will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%. Ottawa needs a strong finish to the season to return to the playoffs, beginning by entering Thursday's game as -151 home favourites against a Red Wings team that defeated them 4-3 in their previous meeting.
Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%.
Sanderson concluded his participation at the Olympics with a Gold Medal victory for the USA on Sunday and is anticipating playing when the Senators return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old Sanderson was not relied upon as heavily at the Olympics as he is by the Senators and finished the tournament with two assists in six games. Sanderson had a career-high 57 points (11G / 46A) in 80 games in 2024-25, and is pacing to surpass those totals in 2025-26, with 46 points (11G / 35A) through 57 games.
Matinpalo was a healthy scratch for the tournament opener on Wednesday, but will replace Mikko Lehtonen on the back-end on Friday. Matinpalo will skate on the third pair with Olli Maatta and Henri Jokiharju will be the seventh defenseman. Matinpalo is a big, physical defenseman that doesn't bring much offence to the table, posting just four assists in 30 games with the Senators this season.
Linus Ullmark is battling an illness and will not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic break, but should resume his role as the starting goalie when play resumes in late February. Ottawa recalled Hunter Shepard from Belleville (AHL) to serve as James Reimer's backup on Thursday.
Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
Blais has been productive in bottom-six roles this season, but has not been able to solidify a spot on an NHL roster. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 8:26 time-on-ice, recording eight points (3G / 5A) and 78 hits in 21 games combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
