3 turning points that derailed Ottawa Senators’ 2024-25 season ft. facing Maple Leafs in playoffs

The Ottawa Senators advanced their rebuild to the next stage by claiming the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The hiring of Travis Green provided the spark the Sens needed to get back into contention.

While the season was wildly successful, it had a disappointing ending as the Senators ultimately fell to their provincial rivals in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

So, it’s worth taking a look at the three turning points that derailed the Ottawa Senators’ 2024-25 season.

Three turning points that derailed Ottawa Senators’ 2024-25 season

#3 Missing out on third place in Atlantic Division

The Ottawa Senators ended the season with 97 points, one behind the eventual Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers. That situation left the Senators in the first wild-card spot, while the Panthers grabbed the third spot in the division.

The Panthers met the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, taking the series in five games. So, it’s worth considering that, if the Senators had won one more game, they could have leapfrogged the Panthers for third spot in the Atlantic.

If that had been the case, the Senators could have faced the Lightning in the first round, potentially beating them and moving on to the second round.

#2 Back-to-back OT losses against Maple Leafs

Since Ottawa finished in the first wild-card spot, they faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. That situation set up a rekindling of the Battle of Ontario for the first time since 2004.

Like in 2004, the Senators fell to the Maple Leafs. But the Senators were hardly blown out of the water. Except for the 6-2 Game 1 loss, all the other games in the series were much closer.

Games 2 and 3 went into overtime, with both games ending in 3-2 losses for the Senators. Instead of going down 3-0 after Game 3, the Sens could have taken a 2-1 series lead. Had the Senators won Games 2 and 3, they could have closed out the series in five games.

The Senators managed to push the series to six games, but lost the final match.

#1 Facing Maple Leafs in opening round

The Senators faced their archrivals, seemingly unable to overcome the psychological barrier that impeded them from moving on.

The Senators played a tough series, but somehow couldn’t capitalize on their chances. Of course, the series was close, and yes, it could have gone either way. But the fact remains that the Senators could not exorcise their demons.

One could argue that, if the Senators had faced any other club, like the Lightning, the outcome could have been much different. Unfortunately for Ottawa, they faced Toronto, and the result was painfully familiar.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan