When this 2016/2017 season started way back in October, it was difficult to picture an opportunity like this.
Even those with the highest of expectations for this team would have had a hard time coming up with a scenario like the one the Ottawa Senators find themselves in tonight.
Win a game. You’re in the Eastern Conference Final. Even as I type the words now, it’s a little bit hard to believe. Coming up with a title for this Game Day post was pretty easy because this really is…THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR!
Even though it may feel like they’re close, there’s still so much work left to be done. Ottawa has won three times in this series and all it took was three minor miracles. They’ll need one more as they return to Madison Square Garden, a building that has been a bit of a nightmare for them in this series.
The fourth win is always the hardest. The fourth win against Henrik Lundqvist in Madison Square Garden is as tough as it gets.
No morning skate for the Senators today so we’ll have all damn day to argue over the possibility of Chris Neil dressing for Game 6.
For the record, I’m directly on the fence on this one. He absolutely had an impact in Game 5 but a road game presents some different challenges. Boucher has to decide whether he’s willing to shorten his bench again to add Neil’s toughness to the line up. Not an easy call especially since the Rangers seem to be considering taking Tanner Glass out. What I do know and this is important- this decision is not going to decide the outcome of this game one way or the other.
Like Saturday, the Senators will go as far as their top players take them.
Expecting the same six defenceman tonight and possibly one change up front. Boucher suggested that couple guys are nursing injuries too so that could have an impact on any potential changes. The Coach will meet with the media at 4:30 PM so the line up will be a bit of a mystery until then.
Stalberg-Turris-Stone
MacArthur-Brassard-Ryan
Hoffman-Pageau-Pyatt
Burrows-Smith-Neil/Dzingel
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Claesson-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM.
As an aside, I just wanted to thank the Ottawa Senators for one hell of a run to this point. It’s pretty amazing to be waking up in the second week of May and still have a Sens game to agonize over.
Now, let’s go get this thing.
GO SENS GO!!
