Oilers and Senators Clash in Edmonton: A Battle of Teams Seeking Saves

Edmonton returns home after a challenging California road trip to face the Ottawa Senators, a team fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have struggled with defensive consistency, making Tuesday’s game at Rogers Place a critical contest.

Game Details

• Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
• Start Time: 7:00 PM MT
• Location: Edmonton, Alberta
• Venue: Rogers Place
• Watch: Sportsnet

Senators’ Playoff Push

Ottawa has earned three points in their last two games, including a 5-2 victory over Toronto. Currently holding a 29-22-8 record, they sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot. The Senators face a tight race with Philadelphia, Columbus and Washington for a playoff berth.

Key Players for Ottawa

Tim Stützle leads the Senators’ offense with 28 goals and 63 points in 59 games. Drake Batherson has contributed 21 goals and 51 points, while Jake Sanderson adds offensive support from the blue line with 48 points. Linus Ullmark has a record of 17-8-6 with a .885 save percentage.

Defensive Concerns for Both Teams

While Ottawa’s offense is potent, their defensive struggles are a concern. They rank 21st in goals against despite strong underlying numbers in shot and chance suppression. The team’s combined save percentage is .874, with Ullmark posting a .885 save percentage and minus-9.0 goals saved above average.

Oilers’ Recent Performance and Trade Acquisition

Edmonton concluded a three-game California road trip with a mixed record, securing one win and two losses. Despite scoring 17 goals during the trip, they only managed one victory – an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. To address defensive concerns, the Oilers acquired Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor Murphy’s Impact

Murphy, a veteran defenseman with 805 games of NHL experience, is expected to provide stability to the Oilers’ blue line. He has 13 points in 60 games this season and will likely be paired with Darnell Nurse.

“I don’t think I set my finger on any one specific player area. I think there’s a little bit of everything. One thing I like since the break is that we have done better at defending off the rush. Going back to the end of January and those two games in February, I thought we were giving up a lot there, and that’s been better. But whether or not it’s in the defensive zone, it’s just a lot of miscues.”

Head coach Kris Knoblauch

“Right now, we’re talking about Xs and Os and all that. And that’s important, but I also think there’s a mindset. You just have to try to get your head around defending, and you have to just bear down doing it. You can play whatever system you want, and you’re never going to do it perfectly. It’s just a guideline for you, and it’s a tool to make everybody be on the same page.

“But at the end of the day, it comes down to how willing we are to defend and keep the puck out of our net.”

Defenceman Mattias Ekholm

Historical Matchup

Edmonton has dominated the recent series against Ottawa, going 15-2-1 since sweeping the Senators in the 2021 All-Canadian division. The Oilers are seeking their fourth season-series sweep over Ottawa in six years.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday’s game presents an opportunity for both teams to address their defensive vulnerabilities. With both Ottawa and Edmonton capable of scoring, the outcome may hinge on which team receives better goaltending.