Ottawa Senators 2025-26 Special Teams Outlook: Power Play Excellence vs Penalty Kill Struggles

The Ottawa Senators entered the 2025-26 season with significant expectations for their special teams units. After years of inconsistency and near-misses at playoff contention, the organization made it clear that improving their power play and penalty kill would be essential to taking the next step. Through the first quarter of the season, the results have been polarizing to say the least. The Senators find themselves with one of the league’s most lethal power plays while simultaneously struggling with one of its worst penalty kills, creating a Jekyll and Hyde dynamic that could ultimately determine whether this young team finally breaks through to the postseason.

The contrast between Ottawa’s special teams units has been stark enough to raise questions about what the team’s true identity will be moving forward. While the power play has provided fireworks and highlight-reel moments, the penalty kill has been a source of frustration for head coach Travis Green and the fanbase alike. Understanding how these units have evolved through the early weeks of the season provides crucial insight into what the Senators must address to maximize their potential.

Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook: Power play excellence

The Senators’ power play has emerged as one of the most dangerous weapons in the NHL, currently operating at an impressive 28.89% success rate that ranks sixth league-wide. This represents a significant leap from last season’s respectable but unspectacular 23.8% conversion rate, which placed them 12th overall. With 13 power play goals through their first 12 games, Ottawa has transformed the man advantage into a legitimate scoring threat that opponents must respect.

The chemistry on the top unit has been the driving force behind this success. Drake Batherson, Tim Stützle, and Dylan Cozens have formed a formidable triumvirate, combining for nine of the team’s 13 power play markers. Cozens has been particularly effective, leading the charge with three power play goals while providing the net-front presence and screening ability that opens up shooting lanes for his more skilled linemates.

What’s changed from previous seasons is the quality of zone entries and puck movement. The Senators are no longer forcing plays at the blue line or settling for hopeful point shots. Instead, they’re executing cleaner entries, establishing possession in dangerous areas, and moving the puck with purpose. Jake Sanderson’s presence on the point has added another dimension, as his ability to walk the line and deliver passes through traffic has created additional opportunities.

However, the power play isn’t without its vulnerabilities. There’s sometimes an overreliance on perimeter play when Brady Tkachuk is unavailable to establish a net-front presence. The drop-off between the first and second units has also been noticeable, with the top group accounting for the vast majority of production. For sustained success throughout the season, Ottawa will need to develop more depth in their power play rotations and continue refining their ability to generate high-danger chances from the interior.

The addition of David Perron has provided veteran savvy and another shooting option, though at times the unit can become too predictable in its setup. Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle’s offensive chemistry extends beyond even-strength play, as both players have demonstrated excellent instincts for finding soft spots in penalty kill structures and capitalizing on defensive breakdowns.

Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook: Penalty kill struggles

The penalty kill has been a dramatically different story. At 62.2%, Ottawa’s success rate ranks 31st in the league, a catastrophic decline from last season’s 77.7% mark. Through 12 games, opponents have capitalized on nearly four out of every ten power play opportunities, turning what should be a manageable special teams situation into a critical liability that has cost the Senators multiple games.

The early-season struggles were particularly brutal. Over their first five games, Ottawa was forced to kill 20 penalties and surrendered nine goals, giving opponents nearly a 50% conversion rate. The combination of undisciplined play leading to excessive penalties and poor execution while shorthanded created a perfect storm that buried the Senators in several contests. The diamond formation that Green has employed has been criticized by fans, though the formation itself isn’t inherently flawed—the execution has been.

Recent games have shown improvement, with the penalty kill operating at 71% efficiency from October 18-30, allowing five goals on 17 opportunities. While still below the league average of 78.8%, this represents tangible progress and suggests the unit is beginning to find its footing. The question now becomes whether this improvement can be sustained over the course of a full season.

Linus Ullmark’s struggles on the penalty kill have compounded the problems. Prior to the victory against Washington on October 25, Ullmark posted a nightmarish 9.93 goals-against average and .667 save percentage on high-danger shots while killing penalties. Eight goals allowed while shorthanded represented more than 30% of his total goals against, indicating that both the structure in front of him and his own performance needed adjustment.

The fundamental issues plaguing the penalty kill include too many faceoff losses in the defensive zone, weak clearing attempts that immediately put the unit back under pressure, and costly turnovers that gift opponents with premium scoring chances. Green acknowledged after a particularly embarrassing loss to Buffalo on October 15 that “It’s an area we need to improve. It’s an issue here and it’s an issue in our room,” demonstrating that the coaching staff is fully aware of the problem.

The diamond formation’s vulnerability to cross-slot passes and weak-side attacks has been exposed repeatedly. While this setup can be effective when executed properly, the Senators have struggled with proper positioning and communication, leaving dangerous areas uncovered. Opponents have learned to exploit the low flanks near the net, where Ottawa’s defenders have been slow to react.

Key personnel driving Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook

Dylan Cozens has been a revelation since arriving in Ottawa, particularly on the power play where his three goals lead the team. His ability to win net-front battles and provide deflections has added a dimension the Senators lacked in previous seasons. Cozens’ willingness to pay the price in high-traffic areas creates chaos for opposing penalty killers and generates second-chance opportunities that the skilled players around him can capitalize on.

Batherson and Stützle continue to be the offensive catalysts on the man advantage. Their hockey sense and ability to manipulate defenders with deceptive passing has made them nearly impossible to defend in space. Both players possess elite-level shots and are equally dangerous as passers, forcing penalty killers into impossible decisions about whether to take away the shot or the pass.

Jake Sanderson’s development as a power play quarterback has been crucial. His mobility and decision-making from the point have improved dramatically, and he’s shown better judgment about when to shoot and when to keep plays alive. The 22-year-old defenseman’s ability to maintain offensive zone possession has extended power play opportunities and created additional scoring chances.

On the penalty kill side, the struggles have been more collective than individual, though several players have shouldered disproportionate responsibility. The forward group of penalty killers has at times been too passive, allowing opposing power plays to establish clean setups rather than applying pressure. The team’s overall defensive structure has needed adjustment, particularly in transition situations where the Senators have been vulnerable to odd-man rushes immediately following penalty kills.

What the numbers reveal about Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook

Ottawa’s 45 goals through 12 games leads the Atlantic Division and places them atop the entire league in scoring. The power play’s contribution of 13 goals represents nearly 29% of their total offensive output, demonstrating just how critical the man advantage has been to their success. Without this elite power play production, the Senators would be a middle-of-the-pack offensive team rather than a league leader.

The 29 even-strength goals Ottawa has scored ranks 10th in the league, showing respectable but not exceptional five-on-five production. This makes their special teams performance even more critical—they need every advantage they can get on the power play to compensate for areas where they’re merely average. The reliance on special teams scoring also raises sustainability questions as the season progresses and opposing teams adjust their penalty kill strategies.

Conversely, the goals against numbers tell a troubling story. The sheer volume of goals surrendered while shorthanded has put enormous pressure on the offense to keep pace. In several games, the Senators have found themselves in track meets rather than structured defensive battles, forcing them to rely on their firepower rather than playing sound defensive hockey.

The improvement trend in penalty kill efficiency offers hope. If Ottawa can stabilize at around 75-78% for the remainder of the season, they would return to respectability in that category. Combined with their elite power play, even an average penalty kill would give them strong special teams overall. The challenge will be maintaining discipline to reduce the number of penalties taken while simultaneously executing better when forced to kill.

According to The Hockey Writers, the Senators’ special teams could be the deciding factor in their playoff hopes. The statistical evidence through the season’s first month supports this assessment—games where the penalty kill has held firm have generally resulted in victories, while games featuring multiple shorthanded goals against have typically ended in defeat.

Strategic adjustments needed for Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook

The coaching staff faces critical decisions about penalty kill structure moving forward. While the diamond formation has its merits, the repeated breakdowns suggest either the system needs refinement or the personnel aren’t suited to execute it properly. Alternative approaches, including a more aggressive box formation or hybrid systems that adjust based on opponent tendencies, deserve consideration.

Discipline remains paramount. The Senators cannot afford to give opponents 20 power play opportunities over five games as they did early in the season. Better decision-making in the defensive zone, particularly avoiding retaliatory penalties and clearing the crease without taking unnecessary roughing minors, must become a point of emphasis. Every penalty avoided is one less opportunity for opponents to exploit Ottawa’s shorthanded deficiencies.

On the power play, developing the second unit into a legitimate scoring threat would provide insurance against the inevitable stretches when the top unit goes cold. Greater rotation of personnel and practice time dedicated to the second unit could pay dividends over the long season. The current overreliance on five specific players makes the power play predictable and leaves the team vulnerable if injuries strike.

Goaltending on the penalty kill requires immediate attention. Whether this means working with Ullmark on specific techniques for handling high-danger chances while shorthanded or simply acknowledging that variance has played a role in early struggles, improvements in this area would dramatically impact the penalty kill’s overall effectiveness. A goaltender who can steal kills by making two or three exceptional saves per game completely changes the dynamic.

Long-term implications for Ottawa Senators 2025-26 special teams outlook

The Senators’ playoff aspirations hinge significantly on whether their penalty kill can reach even average levels while their power play maintains its elite status. In the brutal Atlantic Division, where Florida, Toronto, Boston, and Tampa Bay all present formidable challenges, special teams excellence can be the margin between finishing fourth and missing the playoffs entirely. Every extra goal prevented on the penalty kill or scored on the power play could represent crucial points in the standings.

If Ottawa’s recent penalty kill improvement proves sustainable, combining a 75% kill rate with a 28% power play would give them special teams capable of competing with any team in the league. That combination would take pressure off their even-strength play and provide the cushion a young team needs as they continue developing chemistry and consistency in other areas.

The psychological impact of special teams performance cannot be understated. Momentum swings caused by power play goals or costly shorthanded markers against can shift the tenor of entire games. A team that trusts its penalty kill plays with more confidence and freedom, knowing that occasional penalties won’t be catastrophic. Conversely, a team afraid of going to the box becomes tentative and reactive.

Looking toward the playoffs, special teams take on even greater importance. Postseason hockey features tighter checking and fewer even-strength goals, making power plays and penalty kills more crucial. The Senators’ current power play would be a legitimate weapon in playoff series, but their penalty kill would be ruthlessly exploited by veteran playoff teams who excel at capitalizing on opportunities.

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The duality of Ottawa’s special teams has defined their early season and will likely continue to shape their trajectory. With one of the league’s most potent power plays and one of its weakest penalty kills, the Senators represent the ultimate high-risk, high-reward proposition. The talent is evident, particularly with the offensive weapons they can deploy on the man advantage. The question is whether they can shore up the defensive side of special teams before it undermines their playoff ambitions.

Recent improvements to the penalty kill provide cautious optimism that solutions are being found. If Green and his staff can build on that progress while maintaining the power play’s elite production, the Senators have the pieces to be legitimate playoff contenders. The margin for error remains slim in the Atlantic Division, but special teams excellence—or even just competence on both units—could be the difference between extending the playoff drought and finally breaking through. How this polarizing situation resolves over the coming months will tell us everything we need to know about whether Ottawa is ready to take that long-awaited next step.