By The Canadian Press

Senators leaning on wily veterans to set the tone, ignite energy

Jan 14, 2026 | 2:00 AM

OTTAWA — While goal scorers grab the headlines, it’s often the players without a point who change the game and do the work that sets the tone.

For the Ottawa Senators (21-19-5) those players include veterans Lars Eller, David Perron and Nick Cousins. Combined the trio provide 3,049 NHL games of experience.

With the Senators mired in a four-game losing streak the group met before Tuesday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks and spoke about the importance of setting the tone.

“It’s more of an identity line,” said Cousins. “I think that’s kind of what we talked about before the game … You know, play the right way so the other three lines will follow suit.”

Cousins spoke about the three wanting to lead by example. Through their own past personal experiences, they know the weight a losing streak can have on a team, especially one with expectations to be better.

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“You know, those two have played over 1,000 games, it’s not a fluke that they’ve been in the league for that long,” said Cousins. “So, yeah, we want to lead by example. And, you know, give the team energy when we need it, and I thought it was nice to have a little flow in the game.

“I mean, there wasn’t that many penalties. So, I think for our line to just go over the boards, put the puck deep and, you know, wear the other team down and then set the other lines up.”

With the Senators on the front end of a back-to-back head coach Travis Green spoke of the importance of using four lines and the contributions veteran players can make.

“Yeah, they were great,’” said Green after his team’s 2-1 victory. “I met with a couple of them (Tuesday) morning. I talked to Lars in particular about, you know, his ice time, trying to get him more minutes … and with back-to-back games I knew that line had to give us some minutes and they were excellent. I was happy for them.”

With the compressed schedule due to the Olympic break, having the ability to roll four lines will help teams and having an experienced fourth line is an added benefit.

“You know, we can wear other teams down, you know, make it hard on the other team to break out,” said Cousins. “Real positive direction for our group. I thought all four lines contributed (Tuesday). Like I said, it’s a real, real good step in the right direction.”

There was a definite sense of relief at seeing the losing streak come to an end, but it won’t mean much if another one gets started.

With the Senators back in action Wednesday against the New York Rangers (20-21-6) talk was about playing a similar game in hopes of getting the same result.

“I think we were just hungry all around the zone, keeping pucks in the offensive zone, winning battles,” said Jordan Spence, who scored his third of the season.

“I think that’s the biggest part on our game is when we win battles and play with our identity. I think we’re a really good hockey team, and I think we showed that, especially in the first period. So, we just have to keep playing like that and good things will happen.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press