The Ottawa Senators finally returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, marking a significant milestone in their rebuilding effort. Despite a valiant playoff run that ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Senators showcased their promising young core led by captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson. General Manager Steve Staios made impactful offseason moves, bringing in veterans like Linus Ullmark and David Perron, along with Ottawa native Claude Giroux, who faces uncertainty as he enters free agency.

With the Senators holding $18.6 million in cap space, Giroux's future is a pressing concern. The team aims to strike a balance between veteran presence and youthful talent moving forward. Additionally, Adam Gaudette's successful season may have earned him a more lucrative contract elsewhere, potentially pricing him out of Ottawa. Drake Batherson's absence from media during the break-up day raises questions about his status with the team, especially after a solid 68-point season. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Fabian Zetterlund adds depth, but further negotiations loom as the Senators plan to solidify their roster for the upcoming season.

The Ottawa Senators finally returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, marking a significant milestone in their rebuilding effort. Despite a valiant playoff run that ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Senators showcased their promising young core led by captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson. General Manager Steve Staios made impactful offseason moves, bringing in veterans like Linus Ullmark and David Perron, along with Ottawa native Claude Giroux, who faces uncertainty as he enters free agency.

With the Senators holding $18.6 million in cap space, Giroux's future is a pressing concern. The team aims to strike a balance between veteran presence and youthful talent moving forward. Additionally, Adam Gaudette's successful season may have earned him a more lucrative contract elsewhere, potentially pricing him out of Ottawa. Drake Batherson's absence from media during the break-up day raises questions about his status with the team, especially after a solid 68-point season. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Fabian Zetterlund adds depth, but further negotiations loom as the Senators plan to solidify their roster for the upcoming season.

Anthony Stolarz returns to the crease for the Maple Leafs as they face the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their playoff series. After a successful Game 1 where Toronto triumphed 6-2, Stolarz made crucial saves against key players like Brady Tkachuk and Shane Pinto. His recent performance, with a .950 save percentage and a 1.40 GAA during the regular season, shows he’s ready for the pressure of the playoffs.

The Leafs' lineup sees Pontus Holmberg moving to the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander, taking the spot of Max Domi, while Senators coach Travis Green contemplates lineup changes with players like Ridly Greig available. Toronto looks to maintain their momentum as they head into this crucial matchup.

The landscape of the NHL remains dynamic following the trade deadline, with key players and teams reevaluating their strategies. Fabian Zetterlund's situation in San Jose raises questions about his role and potential impact, especially after the Sharks prioritized two-way play over offensive production. Meanwhile, Steve Yzerman's 'Yzerplan' for the Detroit Red Wings has come under scrutiny after trades that seem to stall playoff aspirations. The Red Wings, who have a promising roster, now face uncertainty regarding their core players such as Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.

The ongoing injuries in the league complicate matters further. While other teams made moves to shore up their lineups, Detroit's struggles, particularly with their penalty kill unit, have been exposed, leading to defeats that raise alarms among fans. The acquisitions of players like Petr Mrazek and Dylan Cozens seem to have created more questions than answers, especially regarding Detroit's goaltending situation and overall team cohesion.

Fabian Zetterlund's recent trade from the San Jose Sharks to the Ottawa Senators has raised questions regarding the timing of his contract negotiations. Zetterlund's agent revealed that while the Sharks had made an early offer, they opted to delay discussions until after the season. A counteroffer was made shortly before the trade, but it's unclear if this influenced his move to Ottawa.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings were firm in their decision not to trade defenseman Brandt Clarke, with GM Rob Blake dismissing any rumors to the contrary. This commitment underscores the team's strategy going forward as they aim for success. Additionally, Evander Kane's recent changes to his no-movement clause have kept him in the spotlight, although he will miss the rest of the regular season due to injury.