The Ottawa Senators find themselves in the midst of a full-blown crisis, with criticism raining down from all directions as their postseason aspirations continue to slip away. The atmosphere around the team has grown increasingly tense following a pair of devastating overtime losses that have highlighted deep-seated issues within the organization.
A Franchise First for All the Wrong Reasons
The Senators made unwanted history during a brutal weekend in January 2026. For the first time ever, the club surrendered multi-goal leads to lose back-to-back games. The collapse began with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, followed swiftly by a 4-3 OT defeat against the Detroit Red Wings just 22 hours later on Sunday, January 18.
While some might point to earning points in four straight games as a positive, the stark reality is that moral victories do not secure playoff berths. The team, led by captain Brady Tkachuk, desperately needs wins, and they are not coming.
Scrutiny From the Top Down
No one within the Senators' hierarchy is escaping the wrath of a disillusioned fan base. The blame is being apportioned across the entire organization:
- Owner Michael Andlauer
- President Cyril Leeder
- General Manager and Head of Hockey Operations Steve Staios
- Head Coach Travis Green
- The players themselves
This widespread accountability is the direct consequence of persistent losing and unmet expectations. The situation reached a symbolic low on Hockey Day in Canada, as the Senators were met with a chorus of boos from a sellout crowd of 18,020 at Canadian Tire Centre. In a stark indictment of local support, approximately 80% of the audience were fans of the arch-rival Canadiens.
Fan Discontent Goes Beyond the Ice
The alienation of the core fan base was exacerbated by the team's ticketing strategy. For the high-profile game against Montreal, the Senators implemented 'Premium Pricing,' which led to a significant backlash from season-ticket holders.
Longtime fan Shaila Anwar took to social media to illustrate the point, noting that her normally $80 seats were marked up to $452 each for the Canadiens' visit. This pricing decision resulted in many regular supporters selling their tickets or opting not to attend, directly contributing to the hostile, road-game atmosphere in their own arena.
The organization's attempt to boost revenue backfired spectacularly, underscoring a fundamental truth: winning is the most effective way to fill seats and sell season tickets.
On-Ice Struggles Compound the Issues
The team's performance against Detroit encapsulated their season. After seizing an early 2-0 lead, they slowly let the game unravel. The final insult was delivered by former Senator Alex DeBrincat, who scored the overtime winner to spoil goaltender James Reimer's debut with the team.
Goaltending has been a persistent weakness throughout the campaign. Through 48 games, the Senators possess the league's worst save percentage at an abysmal .866. The frustration boiled over after the Montreal loss, when defenceman Jake Sanderson pointedly remarked that "you've got to make more than 10 saves to win a game," a comment aimed at goalie Leevi Merilainen, who allowed six goals on 19 shots.
As the Senators prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, the path to the playoffs is narrowing rapidly. The internal blame game and external fan revolt present a monumental challenge for the franchise, one that will require more than just on-ice adjustments to resolve. The entire organization must find answers, and quickly, to salvage both the season and its relationship with Ottawa.
