Ottawa Senators will open the 2025-26 campaign with a trip to the Sunshine State
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The Ottawa Senators will learn that the hard way when they open their National Hockey League season on the road with a trip through the Sunshine State before facing the Nashville Predators in a matinee home opener on Oct. 13 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
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The NHL released its schedule on Tuesday.
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The Senators will begin the 2025-26 campaign against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Amalie Arena before facing the difficult test of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
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Fortunately, the Senators won't have to endure a banner raising before the puck is dropped at 7:30 p.m. The Panthers will open the season four days earlier against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks at 5 p.m. as part of an ESPN tripleheader on Oct. 7.
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Don't expect to see captain Brady Tkachuk face off against his brother, Matthew, an alternate captain with the Panthers. Coming off his second straight Cup win, it sounds like Matthew will be undergoing surgery for a sports hernia and a torn adductor.
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The Senators will host the Predators at 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the club's home opener.
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After making the playoffs for the first time in eight years before losing in Round 1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first post-season Battle of Ontario in 21 years, the Senators are hoping that continued success on the ice will lead to better numbers at the box office.
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The Leafs will visit Ottawa twice, on Saturday, March 21, and on Thursday, April 15, while the Montreal Canadiens will be in town on Saturday, Jan. 17, and on Wednesday, March 11.
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The Senators went into last year with approximately 7,500 season tickets and the club is trying to move closer to the league average of 11,000. Ottawa saw an uptick in season-ticket sales, and the Senators had a 90% renewal rate heading into the summer.
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The club had 13 sellouts in the 18,652-seat arena last season.
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Last year, the Senators hosted the 2025 IIHF world junior championship, which meant the club spent nearly a month on the road. That isn't going to happen this year and the Senators will be able to capitalize on the popular home games that are held during the holiday season in Ottawa.
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That doesn't mean this schedule won't have its challenges.
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The Senators will have one of the longest trips in franchise history, which will get underway Nov. 20 against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center.
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