Ottawa Senators Mailbag: Ullmark Sits, Reimer Struggles, and the Playoff Picture Tightens
Ottawa Senators fans are feeling the heat as the team enters the final stretch of the regular season with nine games remaining and a playoff spot still very much up for grabs. In the latest edition of the Sens mailbag, Ottawa Citizen reporter Callum Fraser tackled the burning questions coming in from fans on social media — and there were plenty of them.
Linus Ullmark's Night Off
The biggest talking point? Linus Ullmark opting out of Saturday's game. For a team fighting for every point right now, resting your starting goaltender raises eyebrows. But context matters. Goaltenders are managed carefully down the stretch, and keeping Ullmark fresh for the most important games ahead could be the smarter long-term play — even if it stings in the short term. Fans understandably want their best players on the ice when every game feels like a must-win, and that frustration came through loud and clear in the mailbag submissions.
Reimer in the Spotlight
With Ullmark on the bench, James Reimer stepped in against the Tampa Bay Lightning — and things didn't go as hoped. Reimer's performance drew scrutiny from the fanbase, who questioned whether he's capable of holding down the fort when the Sens need him most. It's a fair debate. Backup goalies on playoff-contending teams are often the difference between advancing and going home early, and right now there are real concerns about Ottawa's depth between the pipes.
Fraser addressed the Reimer questions directly, breaking down what went wrong against Tampa and what it means going forward. The Lightning are a battle-tested team, so there's some context there — but the margin for error in the Eastern Conference playoff race is razor thin.
Nine Games to Go: Can the Sens Make It?
The broader playoff picture is what's really keeping Ottawa fans up at night. With nine games left, the Senators are in a position where wins are mandatory and losses are brutal. The team has shown flashes of what they're capable of this season, but consistency has been a nagging issue.
Fraser fielded questions about which opponents the Sens need to target for wins, how the goaltending situation could shake out, and whether head coach Travis Green has the right combinations figured out at this stage of the season.
The fan mailbag format is a great reminder of just how invested Ottawa is in this team right now. The questions weren't casual — they were pointed, informed, and emotionally charged. That's what a playoff race does to a hockey city.
What's Next
The Senators can't afford to look too far ahead. Each of the remaining nine games carries enormous weight, and the goaltending question — Ullmark's availability, Reimer's readiness — will likely define how far this team goes.
For now, Sens fans will be glued to every update, every lineup decision, and every box score. That's playoff-push hockey in Ottawa, and honestly? There's nothing quite like it.
Source: Ottawa Citizen Senators mailbag by Callum Fraser. Read the full column at Ottawa Citizen.
