Flight delays in Columbus push back start of Sens-Blue Jackets game in Ottawa

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) skates in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

The Ottawa Senators pushed back the start of their final home game of 2025 because their opponents had travel trouble.

The Sens were supposed to play the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Canadian Tire Centre at 7 p.m., but the puck drop was pushed back to 7:30 p.m.

Local media reports say the Blue Jackets’ flight to Ottawa was delayed because of mechanical trouble. The team was initially supposed to fly out Sunday but pushed the flight to Monday morning. Delays persisted into the afternoon, with the Blue Jackets landing in Ottawa just before 4 p.m.

The Senators are coming off a 7-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Blue Jackets beat the New York Islanders 4-2 on Sunday.

The Sens beat the Blue Jackets 6-3 in their last meeting on Dec. 11 in Columbus.

The Senators will be without goalie Linus Ullmark. The team said Sunday Ullmark was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.

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