Well, here we are.
Our collective backs against the wall for the second time in 48 hours. Except this time, the Penguins are in the same spot we are.
To the winner, a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals and home ice advantage when you get there. To the loser, a couple months to think about what more you could have done. The stakes have never been a higher. Biggest game of the year? Definitely. Biggest game of the decade? You bet. Biggest game in franchise history? It’s right up there.
Tonight in Pittsburgh, the Ottawa Senators play Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I got chills just typing that.
While the experts seem to be siding with the Penguins heading into this one (shocking, I know), anything can happen in Game 7. Listening to the Senators speak with the media yesterday, they sound like a confident group following an inspired 3rd period in Game 6.
They believe. And anyone that has watched this team closely all year should too.
Just an optional game day skate for the Senators this morning so we’ll likely have to wait until Boucher meets with the media to confirm line combinations. Colin White made his playoff debut on home ice but he’s out tonight. Tommy Wingels and Chris Kelly are both being considered as options to take his spot on the fourth line. Same six defenceman as last game.
A best guess at the lineup for now…
Hoffman-Turris-Dzingel
MacArthur-Brassard-Ryan
Smith-Pageau-Stone
Stalberg-Kelly/Wingels-Pyatt
Methot-Karlsson
Phaneuf-Ceci
Claesson-Wideman
Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 8:00 PM.
Before the puck drops on this winner-take-all Game 7, I encourage all of you to take some time to reflect on what has truly been a remarkable season. Think back to the things people said about this team in the preseason. Relive some of the infuriating comments you read about this team here on this site or elsewhere. Think about the adversity this team overcame throughout the regular season just to get to the playoffs. And then, take a little stroll down video memory lane.
The Karlsson pass to Brassard.
The Karlsson pass to Hoffman.
Dion Phaneuf’s OT rocket.
Bobby Ryan’s OT redemption.
Clarke MacArthur’s series clincher.
The Karlsson Bank.
P4geau.
Brassard’s late game miracle, OT winner by Turris.
Ryan to Karlsson at MSG.
Ryan’s Game 1 stunner.
The first period of Game 3.
Hoffman’s Rocket.
Take a moment to really appreciate how far this team has come and how many remarkable moments they’ve given us along the way. There have been more incredible memories packed into the last month and a half than there were in the last 25 years.
This team and this run…you could go the rest of your hockey-watching life and not see something quite like this.
Now, let’s keep it going. Let’s add another memory to the list.
GO SENS GO!!
