OTTAWA – As the Ottawa Senators prepare for a pivotal Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Travis Green has ignited a storm of speculation by refusing to confirm any changes to the team’s lineup — a silence that has only added to the intrigue after the Senators’ lackluster Game 1 performance. With fan anxiety high and pressure mounting, Green’s evasiveness has raised eyebrows throughout the NHL community.
During a tense media briefing on Tuesday morning, Green declined to answer repeated questions about whether underperforming veterans or injured players might be scratched or replaced. “We’ll see tomorrow,” was all the coach offered when asked about forward rotation, defensive pairings, and even the starting goaltender. The vague response has left fans and analysts guessing, with many wondering if a major shakeup is brewing behind closed doors.
Sources close to the organization suggest that there could be more at play than strategy. According to one insider, a closed-door players-only meeting erupted into heated exchanges after the team’s 5–1 loss in Game 1. “There were some pretty sharp words exchanged. Leadership is being questioned,” the source revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fallout from that meeting could influence Green’s lineup decisions — or his decision to stay silent.
Perhaps the most surprising speculation centers around goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. Despite being the presumed Game 1 starter, the netminder was pulled midway through the second period after allowing four goals on 17 shots. Rookie Mads Søgaard is rumored to be practicing with the first unit — but Green has refused to confirm whether a goaltending switch is in the cards, fueling further rumors.
Adding to the suspense is the mysterious absence of defenseman Artem Zub from Tuesday’s practice. Team officials cited “maintenance,” but in the high-stakes world of playoff hockey, the word often masks something deeper — be it injury, illness, or disciplinary action. If Zub misses Game 2, it would significantly alter the defensive chemistry against Toronto’s high-powered attack.
Meanwhile, speculation is swirling around veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who played just 11 minutes in Game 1 and was visibly frustrated on the bench. A team insider hinted that Green may bench the former Stanley Cup champion to send a message — a drastic move that would signal a seismic shift in the team’s internal power dynamics.
Fans and media alike have been left scouring social media and practice footage for clues. With no confirmations from Green or the front office, even the smallest detail — who skated first in drills, who stayed late on the ice — has been treated like a critical puzzle piece in decoding Game 2’s starting roster.
For now, Green seems content to let the mystery fester. “It’s the playoffs. You don’t show your cards,” he told reporters with a faint smirk. But with emotions running high, and the possibility of going down 0–2 in the series, his decision to remain silent is being viewed by some as a high-risk gambit that could either galvanize the team — or backfire spectacularly.
One thing is certain: when the Senators take the ice for Game 2, all eyes will be on the bench as much as on the ice. Green’s silence has turned a standard lineup decision into a storyline of its own — and in doing so, he’s raised the stakes in a series already crackling with tension.