Plagued by weak goaltending performances, the Ottawa Senators inked journeyman goalie James Reimer to a minor league professional tryout contract with the intention of signing and playing him in the NHL,

An embarrassing loss Thursday capped off one of the most eventful days in recent memory for the Senators. And they have themselves to blame.

The Ottawa Senators signed a former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie amid the desperate situation in the crease at the moment.

Get the best Senators vs. Mammoth predictions ahead of Wednesday's matchup in Utah. Free NHL picks for January 7.

The Ottawa Senators are searching for a top-four right-shot defenseman, the Canucks made another contract offer to Kiefer Sherwood.

Josh Manson had two goals and two assists, Brock Nelson had two goals and an assist, Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, and Martin Necas had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche (32-4-7), who scored six times in the second period. Brent Burns scored a goal, Ross Colton had three assists, and Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves.

The race to the playoffs begins now for the Ottawa Senators. The Senators open the second half of the season on Wednesday night against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, sitting four points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Someone accused Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark of spreading rumors about his team, but the Sens denied it.