Senators open post-Tkachuk era with a win over Leafs; Sanderson leaves with injury

The Ottawa Senators began their post-Tkachuk era with a victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defenceman Thomas Chabot scored a goal and provided an assist in his first game as captain, leading Ottawa to a 3-2 triumph. Despite the win, the game was marred by the injury to first-line blueliner Jake Sanderson, who aggravated a lower-body issue in the first period.

Sanderson left the game early, expressing his devastation over the injury. The Senators, now without Sanderson, secured a point in their first matchup against the Leafs in Ottawa. Coach Travis Green and goaltender Linus Ullmark also contributed to the outcome, while Toronto's high-powered offense struggled to capitalize on the game's final minutes.

Maple Leafs coach Daniel Alfredsson, a former team member, acknowledged the emotion present in a home game against his former squad.