FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-With last night’s win over an uninspired Florida Panthers team, there’s now a decent chance the Ottawa Senators may end up drafting outside of the top 10 at the Entry Draft in June. The win pulled Ottawa ahead of both the New Jersey Devils and the Colorado Avalanche in the overall standings. All three teams have just one game to go. Picking inside of the Top 10 would have been nice but the reality is there will still be plenty of good options on the board regardless of where the Sens end up. Plus, everybody knows we are winning the Draft Lottery anyway.
-One game left to go for the Senators and it goes tomorrow afternoon in Boston. It’s a game that won’t mean much to Ottawa but for the Boston Bruins, it could end up being their biggest game of the season. It can be difficult to get up for the idea of playing spoiler this time of year but the fact that they could have a chance to single-handedly end the Bruins season, in their rink, is pretty great. And actually, maybe there is something on the line for the Senators? A new Coach. If the Bruins do miss the playoffs, maybe they decide they need to make a change behind the bench?
-If you were at the game last night and stuck around for some of the post-game ceremonies, you would have noticed an emotional moment of sorts when for the first time this season and maybe last time in his career, Chris Phillips came out in his full uniform and took a lap around the ice. When the ceremony ended, Phillips was the last one to leave the ice, ending with what looked like an emotional handshake with long-time friend and teammate Chris Neil. It wasn’t really talked about beforehand but it had the feel of “one last lap” for Phillips. He hasn’t officially made his decision about his playing future but it certainly gave the impression that he’s leaning towards retirement.
-It’s been a long season. The game meant nothing. But it’s always special watching someone score their first goal in the National Hockey League and especially for a guy like Buddy Robinson. A few years ago Robinson looked like he may challenge for an NHL job at some point but in the last two seasons, he’s been passed by other guys on the depth chart. And now, at the end of his current contract, Robinson (like so many other players this time of year) faces an uncertain future. I’m not necessarily saying he won’t get another chance but for fringe prospects the window can be so short and the opportunities so rare. Watching Robinson make the most of that moment and score a goal in the NHL was pretty awesome.
-A few hours before puck drop I tweeted about being ready for this season to end. And then as the final seconds ticked down on the last home game of the season, I was predictably hit with a rush of “just give me one more period”. Even in the tough times, it’s just nice to be able to drive down the road a little bit and watch an NHL hockey game. To turn off the comment section for a little bit, log off of Twitter and just sit there and watch a game. This year had a little extra significance for me as I was able to bring my daughter to her first (and then second) game. The excitement in her eye seeing NHL hockey for the first time was a reminder why I am so helplessly addicted to this game and this team.
