This post should look a little bit familiar.
Back in 2015, I put together a list of the best games in the history of the Ottawa Senators. And then in another content-starved portion of 2016, I posted it again. And now as we enter August, the worst month for a hockey fan, I thought we might take another look.
Only this time, the list is in serious need of a refresh.
The wounds from that double OT Game 7 loss are still there but looking back on the rest of that playoff run, it’s amazing how many games find their way onto a list of some of the best in franchise history. And while I’ll admit, that’s partly because so many of them are still fresh in my mind, there really were some incredible moments packed into that month and a half long run.
So let’s give this a shot- an updated list of the ten best games in the history of the Ottawa Senators. We’ll start with four that have now been bumped from the Top 10 list.
Honourable Mention
May 5, 2013- Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators- Game 3 of the first round series between the Canadiens and Senators back in 2013 was pretty much as good as it gets for Senators fans. As we all know, there are few things as infuriating as watching the Canadian Tire Centre fill up with either Leafs or Habs fans. Except on this night, I almost wished there were more Habs fans in attendance. The Pageau Chant, the completely one-sided line brawl, the timeout and the blowout on the scoreboard. Start to finish, this was as much fun as I’ve ever had at a hockey game, I think.
April 18, 2012- New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators- I’ll always have a soft spot for this one because this is another game I attended in person. There was a moment in this game, during a TV timeout, where the crowd stood and cheered the entire break. No music. No silly in-game promos. Just the crowd. Paul MacLean gathered his team at the bench and gestured to the fans. Still get chills thinking about it. If you weren’t there that night, this video (adjust volume before viewing) does a pretty good job of capturing the exact moment Kyle Turris rifled a wrist shot over the glove of Henrik Lundqvist.
May 19, 2013- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators- In so many of the incredible games in Senators history, one moment sort of stands out as being the reason you remember the game. This game against the Pittsburgh Penguins was special because it had two of those. The first when Daniel Alfredsson scored what had to have been the most unlikely goal in franchise history and then Colin Greening winning the game in double overtime. In the moments that followed the Greening winner I remember saying to myself, pay that man whatever the hell he wants. It was that good of a moment. Pretty expensive goal though.
April 7, 2015- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators- I knew this game had to be on the list but as I sat down to rank them, I was surprised at how high up the list this game from last season ended up. And I was actually tempted to put it even higher but figured that was probably because the memory is still so fresh in my mind. What is so awesome about this game is not only the comeback but the way this particular game sort of embodied that entire miracle run to the playoffs. The sound that follows Mike Hoffman’s game tying goal is like nothing I’ve ever heard from that building. The way it went from nervous silence to complete chaos in the blink of an eye is just so amazing. Oh and how in the hell did Mark Stone handle that pass?!
And now….the new Top 10….
10. May 2, 1998- New Jersey Devils vs. Ottawa Senators- The Sens were huge underdogs against the Devils back in 1998 but thanks to some incredible goaltending by Damian Rhodes and a strong series by Alexei Yashin, Ottawa was able to pull off the upset and win the first playoff series in modern Senators’ history. It’s strange that one of the most memorable moments from this game and this entire series was an empty netter but the goal by Igor Kravchuk is one that ever Senators’ fan remembers. And probably one of best calls of Dean Brown’s career.
9. October 8, 1992- Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators- I was seven years old when the modern day Ottawa Senators played their first game in the National Hockey League. I sort of think I remember it but I’m not entirely sure. Yet reliving the highlights on YouTube (or even watching the full Hockey Night in Canada Opening) is something I’ve done hundreds of times. Full highlights of the game are tough to find but I’ve included Neil Brady’s goal below. That first season turned out to be pretty, prrrretty ugly but the first game was absolute magic. Maybe Rome was built in a day?
8. May 23, 2017- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators
Unlike the other three entries from this year’s playoff run, this game doesn’t have that one moment that sticks out in your mind, although the Mike Hoffman shot was pretty legendary. And I’ll admit, there may be a little bias creeping in here as this game was a little extra special to be at live. It felt like in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Ottawa Senators emptied the tank. They gave it absolutely everything they had and found a way to force that deciding seventh game. This one sticks out for me a few reasons. First, they had lost the last game 7-0 and everyone thought they were completely done. Second, it was probably Craig Anderson’s best performance of the playoffs. And third, the crowd was one of the best in Sens history. There was this direct link between fans and players that I’ve never felt in that rink before. Like the 20,000 in attendance were willing the team to victory. The celebration afterwards reflected that too as the players stuck around a little longer to acknowledge the crowd. And the fans did the same. When they skated off the ice that night we either knew they’d be coming back for a Stanley Cup Final game or it would be the last time we’d see this team during this incredible run. The energy and emotion was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as a sports fan.
7. April 15, 2017- Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators
The Senators march through the Eastern Conference playoffs may not happen without a remarkable comeback in Game 2 of their first round series against the Bruins. Boston had stolen the first game in Ottawa and through 40 minutes, looked like they would take both games at the CTC. In a 3-1 hole, the Senators got back in it on a goal by Chris Wideman and then Erik Karlsson made one of the most remarkable plays in playoff history to find Derick Brassard for the game-tying goal. Dion Phaneuf would score the OT winner and even the series at 1-1. Oh and this game also had Clarke MacArthur’s first goal in a couple years. The rink was rocking all afternoon.
6. May 21, 2003- Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils- Anytime somebody says something mean about Chris Phillips I find myself immediately thinking back to this game and feeling compelled to stick up for ol’ Big Rig. This is by far the biggest goal he ever scored and goes down as one of my all time favourite goal celebrations. And not the one by Phillips either. The shot of Zdeno Chara leaping into a terrified pile of teammates and everyone desperately trying to get out of the way is possibly the best part of this clip. I actually recall a similar goal celebration taking place in my living room after this one.
5. June 4, 2007- Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators- I had the choice to go to either Game 3 or Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I chose Game 4. And I regret it to this day. Basically the Game 4 loss was either my fault or Alanis Morrisette’s. Ottawa’s lone victory in the Finals is one that stands out even though the series didn’t go their way. Those that were in attendance that night talk about one of the most entertaining games in team history and on the league’s biggest stage. I’ve watched this video about 200 times in my life. And I’m gonna watch it again.
4. May 6, 2017- New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators
There is sort of this long-running joke among Sens fans that afternoon games mean an automatic loss but this playoff run certainly turned that idea on its head. Another afternoon game and another dramatic win on home ice. After two ugly loses at MSG, it felt like the series and the season might be slipping away. Chris Neil was inserted into the Ottawa line up and it turned out a couple punches to the side of Tanner Glass’s head was just what the Senators needed. With the goalie pulled and the third period ticking away, Derick Brassard’s shot bounced off every New York Ranger on the ice and somehow into the net. Tie game. And then just over six minutes into the extra frame, Erik Karlsson put a ridiculous stretch pass right on the tape of Alex Burrows who deflected the puck into open ice. After that, a little Kyle Turris overtime magic. Maybe the most important win of that playoff run.
3. April 12, 1997- Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators
The following clip is probably one of my favourite videos on YouTube. Well I mean, next to the “Boom Goes the Dynamite” guy. Five years into their existence, the Ottawa Senators clinch a playoff spot for the first time. On home ice. Against one of the greatest goalies of all time. I wasn’t there that night but people who were swear the building has never been as loud as the moment that puck slipped by Dominik Hasek to give the Senators that 1-0 lead. If you ever see Gary Galley, make sure you thank him for blowing a tire on this play, by the way. Oh and greatest goal call of all time? Gotta be up there.
2. April 29, 2017- New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators
My ears might still be ringing from this one. A moment in Sens history that will forever be known as “The Pageau Game”. The Senators had already won the series opener in dramatic fashion and Game 2 topped that in a big way. The two teams went back and forth all game and it seemed like any time the Senators got a little momentum, the Rangers would steal it away. That was until playoff Pageau made an appearance. With one goal already under his belt, Pageau scored twice in the final four minutes of the game to force overtime. And then in a second extra period, Pageau broke in on a 2 on 1 with Tommy Wingels. Everyone in the rink knew Pageau was shooting. Even Lundqvist knew. Nothing was going to stop that shot on that afternoon. Four goals and a 2-0 series lead. Not bad for Norah’s first playoff game.
1. May 19, 2007- Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres
Nothing in particular about this game really stands out. Until the ending of course- Daniel Alfredsson crossing the Sabres’ blueline in a one on three situation and quickly snapping a seemingly harmless shot past Ryan Miller for the biggest goal in the history of the franchise. It’s one of those goals where every Senators’ fan remembers exactly where they were. It was an afternoon game, you’ll recall. In the end, it’s a pretty easy choice to put Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals as the biggest in the history of the franchise. Biggest game. Biggest goal. Greatest player in franchise history playing the role of hero. This game had it all.
Too many games from the recent run? Not enough? I probably could have made a pretty good top 10 just from this year’s playoffs, actually.
What does your Top 10 look like?
