Why the Senators are suddenly doing so well

The red-hot Ottawa Senators were back on home ice Thursday as they faced the Boston Bruins in a huge game as the Sens fought for a playoff spot.

Winning time: The Sens were on a four-game winning streak after their 5-2 win in Philadelphia Tuesday, and a pair of 2-1 thrillers on home ice over Detroit on Monday and the New York Rangers on Saturday. The barn has been electric for the past couple of games, with sold-out crowds and a level of excitement not seen since 2017.

• Deadline acquisition Dylan Cozens has played a huge role in his first three games as a Senator, earning a second star twice and a first star Tuesday.

Playoff odds: Heading into Thursday’s game, the Sens' odds to make the playoffs were at  89 per cent, according to Moneypuck. Ottawa was fourth in the Atlantic Conference with 73 points and holds the first wildcard spot. They are five points behind third-place Tampa Bay. Columbus holds the second wildcard with 70 points. The teams behind them are Montreal, NY Rangers and Boston with 68 points, Detroit with 66 points and the NY Islanders with 65.

• Another win: The Ottawa Senators scored six goals during the Thursday game, with the Boston Bruins scoring three goals. 

Meet the team 

The Workhorse from Whitehorse: Dylan Cozens was a huge pick-up from the Buffalo Sabres in the deal which sent Josh Norris the other way.

The 24-year-old from the Yukon had a huge assist in Saturday's win over the Rangers and was the game's second star in a game that took place just 15 hours after arriving in the capital. He scored the winning goal against the Red Wings, and then scored a big goal in the win over Philadelphia last night. In his three games, he has been second star twice and first star once.

• The Sens improved at the trade deadline by adding a couple of key players. Cozens is physical and very good defensively - a tough player to play against.

Zetterlund brings scoring: As Friday's 3 pm trade deadline approached, Swedish forward Fabian Zetterlund didn't think he was going to be traded by the San Jose Sharks, so he had a sauna. When he got out, his phone was blowing up. He was traded to Ottawa just 27 seconds before the deadline.

• At 5'10, 220-pounds, Zetterlund is a combination of strength and skill, is a great scorer and a tough body to move off the puck or from the front of the net. He also hits like a truck. He travelled all day Saturday and had a one-hour skate Sunday before playing his first game Monday night.

Gilbert adds grit: Dennis Gilbert came over with Cozens in the trade from Buffalo and played Saturday. He's a depth defenceman who is 6'2, 216 pounds. He will also get in his share of scraps so that Brady Tkachuk doesn't have to fight so much.

Play of the year: You may not know much about journeyman centre Matthew Highmore, who wears #15. He was in Belleville most of last year and has been up and down between Belleville and Ottawa this year. Tuesday night, the 29-year-old fourth-liner made the play of the year and one of the greatest defensive plays in Sens history, flying in from the blue line at 32 km per hour and sticking his stick in the air in front of the net to save a sure goal. You have to see it in slow motion to believe it.

Forsberg gets dusted off: Linus Ullmark had Tuesday night off after an insane Monday night in which he made 48 saves and had a .980 save percentage. Anton Forsberg was in goal last night in Philadelphia and earned the win, while Leevi Meriläinen was called up from Belleville to be the backup for one night. It was Forsberg's first game in 33 days. Ullmark is back in goal tonight while his close friend Jeremy Swayman is expected to be in goal for the Bruins.

Brady's bunch of milestones: Brady Tkachuk scored 24 seconds into Tuesday night's game in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old reached the 400-point mark with the goal, passing Radek Bonk for most points in Ottawa history, moving into sixth place. The goal was his 189th, which moved him past Marian Hossa to claim fourth place on the Senators’ all-time goal leaderboard. 

Hamburglar posterized: The first 10,000 fans on Thursday got a multi-media poster of Andrew Hammond, at the 10th anniversary of the Hamburglar's historic run.

• In a few days, it will be the 10th anniversary of that famous moment when after a win over the Boston Bruins, Hammond was showered by McDonald's hamburgers that were thrown on the ice. Former Sen Curtis Lazar put an exclamation on Hamburglar-mania when he picked up one of the burgers, unwrapped it, and ate it on his way off the ice to the delight of Sens Army.

THE AGENDA

❌ In another blow to the ByWar Market, the ByWard Fruit market, the last brick-and-mortar greengrocer in the area, will close at around Easter. After 27 years, they’re saying goodbye, due to declining business, especially after Saslove’s closed down. [Ottawa Citizen]

🌊 Some good news for a change — the city says there’s very little chance of flooding in the forecast, with snow levels throughout the Ottawa River at normal levels. But the city did warn that it’s still a bit early to declare safety. [Ottawa Citizen]

💉 The federal fentanyl czar, a position created to please Donald Trump, met with the Ottawa police this week, about issues around drug trafficking and the overdose crisis. [CTV]

⚖️ The man who stole the famous Winston Churchill portrait from the Chateau will finally have his day in court... at some future point. The trial was scheduled to start on Thursday but was delayed. Jeffrey Wood faces charges of theft, forgery, and trafficking of stolen property. [CTV]

🔥 Sad news out of Barrhaven. A house fire at Tedwyn Drive killed more than a dozen cats and dogs due to smoke inhalation. A fundraiser has been set up to help Linda Howie with vet costs from the surviving animals and fire recovery. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮 Ottawa police are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 71-year-old man, who disappeared on March 1 near the 100 block of Murray Street. Richard Legris is six feet, heavy and with grey wavy hair. Contact the police if you know about his whereabouts. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

March Break at Tanger Ottawa | 8555 Campeau Dr | Now until March 14 | Free

Gatineau Beerfest | 15 rue Jos-Montferrand | Now until March 15 | Get tickets here

Ottawa’s Wintertime Music Festival | The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave | Now until March 15 | Prices $15-$50

Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm | 2452 York's Corners Road, Edwards | Now until Apr. 20, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am | Tickets $5-$10

Sugarbush at the Log Farm | The Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Road, Nepean | Now until Apr. 6, select dates 9:00 am | Tickets $12

Ottawa Jazz Orchestra: A Dash of Dameron & A Measure of Milt | Fourth Stage, 1 Elgin St | Mar. 15, 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm | Tickets $43

Holi Celebration at Walter Baker Park | 100 Charlie Rogers Place | March 15 | Free

Ottawa Nostalgia & Collectible Show | Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave | March 16, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | Admission is $8

St Patrick's Sunday Stomp at the Rainbow Bistro! | 76 Murray St | March 16, 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm | Tickets are $12.99

St. Paddy's Day @ the Chateau Lafayette | 42 York St | March 17, 4:00 pm | Free

613Flea | Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park , 1000 Exhibition Way | March 22, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Free

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The NCC announced their Weekend Bikedays begin on May 10 until Oct. 13, with slight adjustments for construction. 

• Here’s a guide to the Orpheus Theatre’s upcoming shows. [Apt613]

• Our Lady Peace had a message during their show at the Canadian Tire Centre — “Canada is not for sale.” [Reddit]

• There are new music venues popping up in the city! [Ottawa Citizen]

• Planning to check out the International Film Festival in Ottawa? Here are some recommendations. [Apt613]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA WORDLE

Can you guess today’s Ottawa Wordle? Play it here.