The Ottawa Senators secured a crucial 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, reinforcing their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The win, marked by contributions from key players such as Drake Batherson and Shane Pinto, allowed the Senators to extend their lead over the Blue Jackets to eight points in the wild-card standings.

Despite a valiant effort from Columbus, who had just come off a high-scoring shootout win against the Vancouver Canucks, they fell short. Boone Jenner's scoring streak continued, but it wasn't enough to overcome Ottawa's solid defense and goaltending from Linus Ullmark, who made 29 saves.

In a crucial moment for the Ottawa Senators, they ended their five-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory against the San Jose Sharks. The return of key players Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto, and Josh Norris made a significant difference as they capitalized on their chances, despite a shaky start. The Senators fell behind but surged in the third period, with Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the charge to tie and then take the lead. A late empty-netter from Michael Amadio sealed the win, while Sharks' struggles continued, marking their eighth consecutive game without a win.

Mikko Rantanen's offensive performance in Carolina has sparked concern among fans and analysts alike. Despite averaging a point every other game, his underlying metrics indicate substantial potential. The key question now looms: when will his scoring uptick begin? Comparisons to Timo Meier's struggles in New Jersey have emerged, hinting at the complexities of regaining a lost scoring touch.

With an extension on the table, Carolina is in a precarious position. As they weigh their options—signing Rantanen, trading him at the deadline, or waiting for a better offer in the off-season—the recent struggles of the Senators, compounded by injuries to key players, add another layer to the conversation. Ottawa's desperate need for health and depth could open the door for strategic maneuvers involving Rantanen, especially amid their playoff chase.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will miss the upcoming home game against the Winnipeg Jets due to a lower-body injury sustained while playing for Team USA. Tkachuk leads the Senators with 21 goals this season. Alongside him, forwards Josh Norris and Shane Pinto will also be unavailable; Norris is recuperating from an upper-body injury, while Pinto is sidelined with a similar issue. This lineup shakeup comes as Ottawa looks to snap a four-game losing streak, with the Jets riding high on a franchise-record 10-game winning streak.

The Ottawa Senators are keenly watching the status of their captain, Brady Tkachuk, as he practiced on Tuesday ahead of a critical game against the Winnipeg Jets. Tkachuk, who has been battling a lower-body injury sustained during international play, expressed optimism about returning to action. Despite missing the last game, he emphasized the importance of not rushing back to avoid aggravating the injury. Meanwhile, the Senators are also seeing signs of recovery from Josh Norris and Shane Pinto, both of whom are inching closer to a return, potentially bolstering Ottawa's lineup in their push for the playoffs.