Among all NHL teams that have strengthened their rosters during the offseason, the Montreal Canadiens stand out as making significant gains. Their acquisition of Noah Dobson, a top defenseman from the New York Islanders, bolsters Montreal’s defense and offensive potential, especially with the promising right winger Zach Borduk coming in from the St. Louis Blues.
A highly anticipated highlight of the upcoming season is the intense rivalry expected between the Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. Both teams are projected to fiercely compete for one of the final Stanley Cup playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Last season, Ottawa clinched a postseason spot with a fourth-place finish in the Atlantic Division, while Montreal just barely made it in fifth place.
However, the playoff spots may be limited to only four teams from the Atlantic Division this year, due to a potential resurgence of the New York Rangers from the Metropolitan Division. Additionally, the Columbus Blue Jackets could break their playoff drought if their recent improvements hold true.
The Atlantic Division will be a battleground with seasoned playoff contenders like the Florida Panthers, who are defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, all solidifying their lineups for the upcoming season. Alongside these powerhouses are the Canadiens, Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins, with Ottawa and Montreal particularly optimistic about their playoff chances. If only one of these Canadian teams can secure a playoff spot, the rivalry between Montreal and Ottawa will heat up even more.
This rivalry is already fierce. Ottawa fans haven’t forgotten incidents involving Arber Xhekaj’s hits that injured players like Angus Crookshank and Victor Rodin in junior leagues, and a preseason hit that took Tim Stutzle out of a game, sparking penalties and controversies. Canadiens fans have accused Xhekaj of embellishing fouls involving Stutzle and Brendan Gallagher. Tensions escalated further when both teams failed to perform in a crucial game last April.
The Canadiens and Senators will face off four times this season—in early November, mid-January, and four times late March—with the final matchup occurring after the 2026 trade deadline, making it a high-stakes game with both teams at their best. Fans from both sides are expected to pack the Senators’ arena to witness this showdown.
The close proximity of these teams and their playoff encounters over the past decade have fueled this rivalry, which could intensify dramatically if one team prevents the other from reaching the playoffs. This scenario benefits league executives who aim to create strong divisional rivalries to enhance competition and fan engagement.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens appear to have a slight edge over the Senators due to their active offseason improvements, whereas Ottawa’s roster has remained relatively unchanged. While big offseason moves don’t always guarantee success over more static teams, Montreal’s dynamic offense might prevail against Ottawa’s lineup.
Only time will reveal if this prediction proves accurate, but if the Canadiens and Senators rivalry intensifies this season, their battles will be nothing short of epic. With so much on the line, every game between these two teams will carry significant weight, potentially boosting fan interest and the league’s overall excitement.
Fan Take: The escalating rivalry between the Canadiens and Senators is crucial for hockey fans because it highlights the competitive spirit and drama that keeps the sport thrilling. This fierce battle for playoff positioning could not only reignite a historic rivalry but also fuel fan passion and engagement, ultimately benefiting the NHL’s growth and popularity.
