Looking at the Crucial First 20 Games for the Senators 

The Ottawa Senators will find themselves 20 games through their upcoming season after their November 23rd home game against the Vancouver Canucks. Where they stand at that point will be a great indication as to whether or not they will have a legitimate chance at their first playoff appearance since 2017. They have developed a habit of slow starts which has killed any chance of playing meaningful hockey into April and beyond. Before breaking down their early season schedule for this season, let’s take a look back at their last few poor starts. 

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2021-22

First 20 Games: 4 Wins, 15 Losses, 1 Overtime Loss, 11 Points

Point Percentage: .225

Place in the Eastern Conference (based on P%): Last

The Senators weren’t expected to be a playoff team this season, but their first 20 games was worse than anyone could have predicted.  They had two separate six game losing streaks during this stretch. Come the start of December, their playoff hopes were completely gone. Over the last three quarters of the season, the Senators went a respectable 29-27-6. This gave their fanbase hope that they would contend for a playoff spot the next season. 

2021-22

First 20 Games: 7 Wins, 12 Losses, 1 Overtime Loss, 15 Points

Point Percentage: .375

Place in the Eastern Conference (based on P%): 15th, ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets

After the strong finish to the season prior, as well bringing in the likes of Claude Giroux, Alex Debrincat and Cam Talbot, this season came with playoff expectations. The Senators actually started the year 4-2, but then lost seven in a row. They lost Josh Norris to injury early in the year and it was soon realized that their depth was not ready to overcome that type of loss. The playoffs looked like an extreme long shot come the start of December. They did make up a lot of ground with solid play through the next few months. Losing streaks of four and five straight games in March and April ended any playoff chances, though. Through the last three quarters of the season, they went 32-23-7. Over a full season, that translates to 94 points, which is often enough to make the playoffs. Once again, hopes were high heading into the next season. 

2022-23

First 20 Games: 10 Wins, 10 Losses, 20 Points

Point Percentage: .500

Place in the Eastern Conference (based on P%): Tied for 13th with the Montreal Canadiens, ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Buffalo Sabres

This was actually a better start relative to the season before it. While not in a playoff spot, they were not completely out of it yet, either. Unfortunately, they won just one of their next eight games. That dropped them to 11-17, dead last in the Eastern Conference. DJ Smith was fired after their 15th loss of the season. Once again, they were out of playoff contention by January. This season was filled with distractions. From the Evgeny Dadonov debacle, which led to Pierre Dorion being fired, to the DJ Smith firing, and the Shane Pinto suspension, there were a lot of off ice issues that surely caused headaches for many within the organization. They also played two games in Sweden, which led to a lighter schedule in the early going. They had only played 20 games while most other teams had played 25. In their final 45 games, the Senators went 23-18-4. Over a whole season, that translates to 91 points, which is at least in the hunt for a playoff spot. That takes us to the upcoming season, which has the players and fans once again believing that they can contend for a playoff spot.  

Breaking Down the First 20 Games in 2024-25 

Home Games: 11

Road Games: 9

Longest Road Trip: Three Games (October 22-27 against the Utah Hockey Club, Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche)

Back to Backs: One (November 1st & 2nd, at New York Rangers, and at home against the Seattle Kraken)

Games against playoff teams: 13

Non playoff teams: 7

Afternoon games: 3 (two 1pm games at home, and one on the road against Vegas that starts at 3pm)

There’s no trip to Sweden this year. There should be no early season firing of the head coach or general manager. Hopefully, there will be no draft picks being forfeited or players being suspended for off-ice issues. The early season schedule for the Senators is by no means overly challenging. There are no excuses for a poor start to the season. Travis Green will run them through a challenging camp in the hopes that they can get off to a good start this season. By the start of December, there’s no reason for Senators fans to already be thinking about the draft. Coming away with at least 23-25 points in their first 20 games is essential in allowing the Senators to play meaningful games come April.