Canadians and Senators have an emerging competition – Hockey Writer – Montreal Canadian

Competition is the heartbeat of hockey. They don’t just appear in thin air. Over time, they developed, triggered by geography, timelines, and the natural competitiveness of two organizations chasing the same goals. For the Montreal Canadian and the Ottawa Senator, all of these ingredients are starting to blend together. Both teams are built around young people, both believe their future is bright and both are eager to take their next step into the playoffs. When you add close proximity to both markets, it’s clear that this competition is ready to be center stage again.

Pre-season conflict

Preseasons are usually warm-ups. Veterans get rid of rust, coach trial line combinations, and the prospects try to make a final impression. But sometimes, energy can overflow into more intense things. That was the case in Quebec City, when Canadians and Senators calmed down in a game of quickly becoming a vibrant exhibition.

From the opening puck drops, there are edges in the air. Ottawa forward Nick Cousins ​​slammed Montreal rookie Ivan Demidov, causing anger among Canadians bench and their fans. Demidov is not only another prospect. He is one of the cornerstones of Montreal’s reconstruction, and any cheap shot will inspire emotions.

Throughout the night, several fights broke out, each reminding everyone that preseason is usually about survival. For players trying to form a team, resilience and physical condition are sometimes the fastest way to get the coach’s attention. Each transition becomes an audition, dropping a glove or throwing a big hit will leave a lasting impression. Both benches are engaged, the crowd succumbs to emotions, and suddenly, a September game has nothing to do and looks like a playoff trailer.

It is at these moments that competition begins to take root. The extra advantage of a slash, a battle and a game makes an otherwise ordinary pre-season showdown a memorable thing. And, whenever the two clubs meet this season, it feels like a glimpse.

Similar schedules

This intensity is not only in Quebec for one night. This is a greater understanding of where these franchises are located. Canadians and senators find themselves on very similar paths. Both promise to rebuild, stock picks, development prospects, and gradually shape new identities around youth and speed.

Senators may be a step ahead. Their young core is led by Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, who are already formed and are expected to lead Ottawa towards the playoffs. After years of play, the team entered the playoffs last season and the pressure has achieved results in management and players.

Montreal is slightly behind in the process, but not far away. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have proven themselves to be the backbone of the franchise. Lane Hutson is about to exit the blue line. Now, with Demidov joining the mix, Canadians can inject stellar power, and fans hope this will speed up the climb.

Both organizations enter the same window of competition, and that’s where competition flourishes. When both teams compete for the same playoff position at the same time, each face-to-face game brings extra weight. Add to the location, Montreal and Ottawa were separated in just a few hours and it became personal. It’s a kind of competition, derived from proximity, but is now driven by overlapping ambitions.

Competition is beneficial to the competition

All of this adds up to a simple reality: Canadians are a good thing to compete, not only for the team, but for the entire NHL. Competition brings the best players. They turn ordinary games into must-see games, pushing athletes to dig deeper games and provide fans with something more to invest, not just points.

Related: Canadians’ 2025-26 Roster Projection 2.0: Pre-Season Edition

Montreal already has traditional competition with Toronto and Boston, but when those franchises are at different stages of scrambling, Ottawa feels like the most natural competitor of this Canadian era. Their age is close, their competitiveness is close, and their geographical location is close. This is the secret to nervousness every time you meet.

What happened in Quebec City may not matter, but the tone is important. This shows that these teams won’t be relaxed with each other, even if the game is not officially calculated. It shows that players are willing to fight every inch of their competitors literally and figuratively. It shows fans that whenever Montreal meets Ottawa, the mood is high.