Sens vs Pens: Pre-series Thoughts
Tonight the Ottawa Senators are taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is going to be an exciting series to watch, as both a fan of the Sens and a fan of hockey. In one corner you have a healthy Penguins team with the likes of Crosby, Malkin and Hossa. In the other corner you have a hurt Senators team, with Alfredsson, Fisher and Kelly out of the line up.
Can the Sens overtake the Pens in the first round like they did last year? Its pretty much unanimous from sports broadcasters that the Sens don’t stand a chance. Bah I say! I will admit that without Alfie, Fisher and Kelly in the lineup that the Sens are missing 3 very important players, but I have little doubt that the Sens can come out of this series triumphant. I believe that we will see a united Senators team that will display both a strong offense and a strong defense, better than we’ve seen all year. The playoffs are a completely new season, where all bets are off and where we often see the underdog take down the favourites. The Sens will bring forth a physical game that will wear down the young Pittsburgh team. Forechecking and backchecking will chip away at the Penguins, not only bruising their bodies but also bruising their egos and their chances of coming out of this series a winner.
I fully expect players like Vermette, Spezza, Heatley, Stilman, Neil, Phillips, Volchenkov, Meszaros, Commodore, Donovan, Bass and Lee to come out with guns blazing, bringing their A game and not letting up. This is the team that made it to the Stanley Cup finals last year and they now know what it takes to win. Heck, we might even see Redden show a bit of passion and get back to the form he was regarded for a few years ago (but I’m not going to hold my breath on that one).
As much as I have faith in my team, I do think this will be a long one. I expect this series to go to 6 games. I predict the Pens will come out with only 1 win in the first 2 games. The Sens will then win the 2 games at home, followed by a loss back in Pittsburgh, but winning the series at home on the 6th game. You can take this prediction to the bank! 🙂
For the other teams, here are my predictions:
- Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins : Canadiens win 5
- Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers : Capitals in 6
- New Jersey vs New York Rangers: Devils in 7
- Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators : Predators in 6
- San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames: Flames in 7
- Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche: Wild in 6
- Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars : Ducks in 5
There you have it folks. My predictions for the first round. Now I have to go find a bookie 😛
Luc "Sandman" G. 
The 
We’re down to 2 games left for the Ottawa Senators, and we still haven’t cinched a playoff spot. I’m a concerned and a little worried, but I’m not ready to panic yet (as much as one can panic when it comes to cheering for a sports team). As of this post, the Sens are in 6th place in the conference, tied with Boston at 92 points (but we have more wins, hence the 6th position). The Flyers are in 8th with 91 points, and close behind are the Capitals with 90. If we lose the last 2 games, and all those teams win at least 1, it will be the first time in 11 years that the Sens wouldn’t make the playoffs.
Last night I took 2 of my nieces to meet Antoine Vermette, Chris Kelly and Chris Phillips from the Ottawa Senators. All 3 players were at a local car dealership signing autographs. It was the first time I ever met any Sens players and it was pretty cool. We got there a little late, but luckily that meant there wasn’t much of a lineup. We only had to wait 15 minutes or so in line behind 15-20 groups of people. Katrina, my youngest niece in attendance, was very excited to finally meet some of the players she’s been watching on the ice.