The Ottawa Senators' search for stability in goal saw a new chapter begin on Sunday, January 18, 2026, but the final result was a painfully familiar one for the struggling club.
DeBrincat Haunts Former Team in Overtime
In his first start for the Senators, veteran goaltender James Reimer stopped 30 of 34 shots, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. The game ended in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. The decisive goal came off the stick of former Senator Alex DeBrincat, who beat Reimer on the glove side for the winner.
This defeat marked the Senators' second consecutive overtime loss in as many nights, following a crushing 6-5 collapse to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday where they surrendered a two-goal lead in the final four minutes.
Reimer Provides a Glimmer of Stability
The 37-year-old Reimer, signed as an unrestricted free agent just days earlier, was brought in specifically to address the team's league-worst goaltending. Entering the game, Ottawa had an .868 team save percentage, ranking last in the NHL. His debut was his first NHL action since a win with his previous team on April 17, 2025.
"It's fun to play. It's the greatest game on Earth, right? So, it was good to be back in there," Reimer said post-game. "I felt pretty good... I thought my game was decent today, and it was a good building block."
His performance earned praise from teammates, with centre Shane Pinto telling TSN during the game that Reimer looked poised and made key saves to keep Ottawa in contention.
Senators' Playoff Hopes Dented by Lost Point
While securing a single point for pushing the game to overtime, the Senators are in desperate need of victories to keep any realistic playoff hopes alive. Offensive contributions came from Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens, and Drake Batherson, but it wasn't sufficient.
"We've gotten points in four of our last four games and we've played some good hockey," noted Batherson, trying to find a positive spin. "Considering the back-to-back, today's game was pretty solid."
However, the overarching narrative remains one of missed opportunities. The team has now let critical points slip away in consecutive games, a trend they must reverse immediately if they wish to climb the standings. The loss in Detroit underscores the ongoing challenges in net that Reimer was acquired to solve, even as he showed flashes of being the solution.
