We’ve all had a couple days to process exactly what we’ve seen from the Ottawa Senators over the last seven weeks.
This remarkable run has already given us more than we ever could have expected heading into this season. It will be something this fan base talks about for years to come. But for now, it’s time to shift the focus to the first round series that lies ahead.
A rematch with the Montreal Canadiens.
On paper, this looks like a terrific series. Two teams that dislike each other, two fan bases that can’t stand one another and two cities that care passionately about their hockey teams. All the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of the division-leading Canadiens who fancy themselves Stanley Cup contenders. Meanwhile the Senators, fresh off a remarkable month and a half of hockey, certainly aren’t content with just making the playoffs. They want to make some noise.
As we desperately attempt to pass the time before Wednesday’s series opener, five not so quick thoughts on what I think will be the keys to this series. Feel free to add your own in the comment section below.
Mind Games- The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, one of the most intriguing battles took place off the ice. Paul MacLean parked himself inside the head of Michel Therrien and tap-danced in there all series long. Ya know, I feel like I’ve used that exact line before but it just so perfectly describes what happened in that series back in 2013. I’m convinced that little things like this matter in a short series so it will be interesting to watch how Dave Cameron handles the off-ice attention over the next couple weeks. All the pressure in the world is on Therrien and the Habs and I hope Cameron reminds them of that regularly. Also, I’m not sure what Paul is up to these days but maybe we can just have him sit side by side with the doppelganger behind the Habs bench? Fact is Montreal can be a great place to play but if things don’t go their way early in this series, you know that fan base is ready to turn on them. How do Therrien and the rest of the Habs handle the pressure?
Battle in the Crease– As is the case with most playoff series; this one seems destined to be decided by the guys standing between the pipes. One of the starters is coming off one of the most remarkable seasons in the history of goaltending, single-handedly carrying his team to the playoffs and is worthy of consideration for the Vezina and Hart Trophy. The other is Carey Price. Kidding, of course. Price has been the best goalie in the league this year but for whatever reason, hasn’t played his best against Ottawa. Meanwhile Andrew Hammond is as hot as any goalie in the game and has a couple wins over Montreal under his belt. The Habs would have a significant edge in goaltending against any of the other playoff teams but the match up against Ottawa and against Hammond isn’t as clear-cut as some are making it out to be. To borrow a phrase from Dave Cameron, goaltending is going to be yoooooge in this series.
Karlsson vs. PK (Pretend Karlsson)– With the Senators completing an improbable comeback and grabbing a playoff spot on the final day, it seems like the “Erik Karlsson for Norris” campaign is picking up steam. He’s pretty much a lock to be on the final ballot and a toss-up to actually win the thing. The Habs also have a decent defenceman of their own named PK Subban. He’s one of the top defenceman in the game, if he can stay on his skates, of course. These two are going to be at the centre of this series and you sort of get the sense that whoever wins the battle between these two has a damn good shot at winning the series.
Goals- Here’s a hot take- the team that can score the most goals is going to win this series. The Habs have struggled with that part of the game all season. Montreal’s leading goal scorer, Max Pacioretty, suffered a concussion late in the season but will play in Game 1. Is he healthy though? Or at least healthy enough to float at the offensive blueline and wait for a breakaway pass? After Pacioretty, the Habs lean on the likes of Plekanec, Gallagher and Galchenyuk. Meanwhile Ottawa has a red-hot Mark Stone leading the charge but will need contributions from others too. I really think the key to this series is going to be that Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan line. If they can get going offensively, the Senators should be in good shape.
Paaaageau, Pageau, Pageau, Pageau- It seems silly to talk about a third line centre’s importance on a series but when it comes to Jean Gabriel Pageau, you just know he’s going to find a way to have an impact in this series. Perhaps not on the same level as the last time these two teams met but the play of that Condra-Pageau-Lazar line is going to be crucial for Ottawa in this series. Habs fans will be delighted to learn that Pageau has scored in three straight games and is probably playing some of the best hockey of his career. That’s right Habs fans, Pageau is playing BETTER than usual.
A Habs fan wakes up in a cold sweat. In the distance, the faintest sound. A whisper, grows steadily louder..Paaageau, Pageau, Pageau, Pageau
— SensChirp (@SensChirp) March 7, 2015
So there’s a few quick thoughts on the series ahead. What do you see as the keys to this series? Let me know in the comment section below.
