Following their Wednesday skate, the Senators held their annual 'Melnyk Skate for Kids' hosted by team co-owners Anna and Olivia Melnyk, carrying on a tradition started 20 years ago by their late father, former Sens owner Eugene Melnyk.

The Senators have gotten their power play back on track, but opponents have outscored them 14-5 at even strength in the last six games.

The Ottawa Senators were skating back at home for the first time in a week as they prepared to face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night in a stretch of four games in six days before the National Hockey League’s mandated holiday break.

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The Senators are already without centre Lars Eller, who missed Thursday’s game by the Rangers with an undisclosed ailment. Stephen Halliday was recalled and played only six minutes and 35 seconds versus New York. There is no timetable on Eller, either.

Ullmark entered this season intending to secure a spot on Team Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina, Italy, in February. He was the third goalie at the 4 Nations Face-Off behind New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom and Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild.

On Dec. 23, the Buffalo Sabres will make their first of two visits to Ottawa this season. Christmas crafts will again be offered at Upper Gate 1, while Red Hot Deals — including $3 hot dogs, $8 beer, and $9 wine — will be available on the concourse until puck drop.

The Senators have a short two-day break in the schedule, which will include a visit to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario on Monday. Then, the club will try to halt its two-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils to close out this three-game homestand.