If you’re like me, you are starting to get a little antsy.  Still two days until the Ottawa Senators open their first round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

And while it will help to watch some playoff hockey tonight, and then watch the Leafs helplessly try to contain the Bruins tomorrow night, we all know the series that matters starts on Thursday night.  With that in mind, I’ve gathered a few videos to help pass the time a little bit today.

As the Ottawa Senators went into their final game of the season, fans were almost unanimous in hoping for an Ottawa win that would set up a first round series with the Montreal Canadiens.

But what is it about the match up that Sens fans like?  Or is it simply the fact that the alternatives- Boston and Pittsburgh- are just so damn good?  Let’s take a look at the tale of the tape heading into this Ottawa/Montreal match up and see if we can figure out exactly why fans in the Nation’s Capital were eager for a shot at the Northeast Champs.

The Ottawa Senators dug deep when they had to and Jean Gabriel Pageau played the role of hero as the Sens scored an impressive 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

Their reward? A first round match up with Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens.  Considering the other options were the Penguins and Bruins, this is exactly what the Senators were hoping for coming into the 48th and final game of the regular season.

Despite peppering Flyers starter Steve Mason with 44 shots on Saturday night, the Sens could only score once, falling by a 2-1 final.

And as a result, the Ottawa Senators head into the last day of the season with their playoff fate still in doubt. And while Ottawa knows regardless of the outcome, they'll start their playoffs later this week, their opponent can incredibly still be one of three teams as they play in the final game of the NHL's regular season.

WRITTEN BY SENSCHIRP READER- timwrx

What can one say being a fan of a minor league sports franchise?

The Baby Sens entered the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs a much different team that entered the regular season. Sure we are used to call ups, trades, injuries. But to lose both goalies, 3 starting defensemen and 3 top line forwards...well plain hurts.

With a big ol' playoff X in tow, the Ottawa Senators head into the final weekend of the regular season with their playoff opponent yet to be determined.

And with the standings as close as they are right now, there is a good chance Ottawa won't know who they'll line up against in Round One until the final horn sounds in Boston tomorrow night. Up first for the Senators? A match up with 12th place Philadelphia Flyers in what is Ottawa's final home game of the regular season.

Against all odds, the Ottawa Senators have officially clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

At the start of this lockout shortened season, 30 teams had a shot at the Stanley Cup.  When the regular season wraps up on Sunday night in Boston, that field will have been trimmed to just 16 teams.  Every team has a shot at hoisting that Cup a couple months from now.  It’s the best time of the year and it all gets started just four days from now.

In a season with more than their fair share of adversity, and in the face of a seemingly endless supply of "season ending" twists and turns, the Ottawa Senators are headed to the NHL playoffs.

Sergei Gonchar scored the winner and Erik Karlsson turned in a heroic effort playing his first game in more than 10 weeks as the Sens edged the Washington Capitals by a 2-1 final.  The win moves Ottawa into 6th in the Eastern Conference, which would mean a playoff rematch with these same Capitals.

Win and you’re in.  It’s that simple for the Ottawa Senators tonight as they visit the Washington Capital.

In fact, any combination of two points, either gained by the Sens or loss by the Jets, means Ottawa locks up their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.  And as much as fans will be keeping a keen on the happenings in Winnipeg, the players will be focused on earning their way in, with a win over the recently crowned Southeast Champs.  Oh and by the way, they’ll have their best player back in the line up.