We are about 8 hours clear of puck drop and the nerves are already setting in.
It’s the type of sick-with-anticipation, anxiety-filled excitement that I didn’t expect to feel this season. When Ottawa sat 14 points out of a playoff spot in the middle of February, it seemed like the season was all but done- that we wouldn’t feel this way over Senators’ hockey for at least another year.
Yet here we are, just a month and a half later, on the brink of a game with massive playoff implications. Whether or not they finish in the top eight, the reality is this team has been playing playoff hockey for weeks. They’ve taken us on the most unexpected, most incredible regular season run in the history of the franchise and it’s all led us to tonight. Two points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins with just three games remaining in the season.
Tonight, is without a doubt, the biggest game of the season. For real this time.
The Senators just wrapped up their morning skate and appear as though they’ll roll with the same line up. Mike Hoffman is back in his regular position with Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. It goes without saying but the Senators need a good night from those three if they’re going to pull this off. Erik Karlsson was not on the ice for the morning skate but will play tonight.
Here’s how the Senators are expected to line up for this one.
MacArthur-Turris-Stone
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan
Condra-Pageau-Lazar
Smith-Legwand-Chiasson
Cunneyworth-Van Allen-Dackell
Methot-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Ceci
Borowiecki-Gryba
Andrew Hammond gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
We’ve all spent the last month or so hoping for this team to make the playoffs. Well the reality is, playoffs start tonight. And it starts with a Game 7.
Gotta win this one.
Go. Sens. Go.
