FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-I’m running out of words to describe this run, this hockey team and this feeling I get after each one of these incredible wins. Just when you think you’ve seen it all from the Ottawa Senators, they find a way to one up themselves. Last night’s win was without a doubt, one of the greatest in the history of the franchise. Not just because of what they accomplished in the game but also because of everything that led up to it. To give up a goal in the opening ten seconds, fall behind by three goals and then rally with THEIR SEASON ON THE LINE…there are no words.
-And as incredible as that game was, it also included a low like I haven’t felt in awhile, both when Sidney Crosby scored ten seconds into the game and then when the Penguins stretched the lead to three goals. I am the most optimistic fan you’ll find but even I was having trouble finding hope in that debacle of a start. After all this team had been through to get to that point, I just couldn’t believe it was going to end like that…on home ice…with so much on the line. And it wasn’t that I was disappointed in the team but more about how people were talking about them, after all that had been accomplished leading up to that game. Actually came pretty close to a full-fledged Twitter meltdown but held back. If we’ve learned one thing about this team, it’s that if you give up on them you’re probably going to end up looking pretty silly. They did that to a lot of people again last night.
-If Mark Stone comes up short in his bid for the Calder Trophy, maybe he can take a run at the Hart Trophy instead? I say that jokingly but the way this 22 year old has put this team on his back in the last couple months is the stuff of legends. I think we all knew Stone had a chance to be a special player when we watched him rip it up at the 2011-2012 World Juniors but never in our wildest dreams did we think he’d be this good, this fast. It’s a conversation for another day but his next contract is going to be an interesting one. If ever there was a time to take a long term gamble on a player, this is it. I’m talking 6-8 years.
-Staying alive. That’s what last night’s win amounted to. For a moment it looked like the Senators might get a favour from the Carolina Hurricanes but they were unable to to hold on against a desperate Detroit Red Wings team. Now scoreboard watching turns to Washington, where the Capitals host the Boston Bruins. It goes without saying but a regulation win by Washington would be huge for the Senators. After that Boston plays Florida and Tampa Bay. Detroit has games remaining against Montreal and Carolina. The reeling Penguins play the Islanders and the Sabres. Sens are gonna need to find a way against the Rangers and Flyers and get some help.
-After last night’s win, I sort of came to the realization that this run is no longer about making the playoffs. I mean, making the playoffs would be nice but if we let this incredible month and a half stretch be defined by whether or not they finish in the top eight when the clock hits zero on Saturday, we really aren’t doing this team justice. Playoffs are fun. Playoffs are awesome. There really is nothing like it in professional sports. But the last 42 days, since that first shutout win in Anaheim, have been just as good if not better. This kind of prolonged stretch of well-played, wildly entertaining hockey will come along once in a lifetime for a sports fan. Try to find some time to step back and appreciate just how special this run has been.
