Against all odds, the Ottawa Senators have officially clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
At the start of this lockout shortened season, 30 teams had a shot at the Stanley Cup. When the regular season wraps up on Sunday night in Boston, that field will have been trimmed to just 16 teams. Every team has a shot at hoisting that Cup a couple months from now. It’s the best time of the year and it all gets started just four days from now.
Heading into the weekend back to back, the Senators still don’t know who their first round opponent will be. They can rule out the Rangers, Islanders and Leafs but any other of the remaining four teams could end up being the opposition when the Senators start their first round series, likely on Wednesday, May 1.
While you never want to fear any opponent heading into the playoffs, it sure would be nice to avoid the Penguins in Round 1. To do that, the Sens just need to win one of their remaining games. If they win both, they could finish as high as 5th and draw either the Habs or Bruins in Round 1. They could also finish in 6th and face the 3rd place Capitals.
The 7th place Rangers play their final game at home against the Devils while the Islanders close out their season in Buffalo tonight. Montreal and Toronto play each other to close out the season and Boston as a road game against the Caps and a Sunday night match up against Ottawa.
It’s possible the match ups could still be unknown when the Bruins and Senators play that make up game on Sunday night.
So I ask you- Do you have a preferred first round opponent?
Sens are on the ice for practice at 1:00 PM today at Scotiabank Place. Will pass along any updates from that skate.
- Some of you may have noticed the frenzy on Twitter last night as Sens fans pledged donations to the new “Money on the Board” concept. Brought to you by Bonk’s Mullet (he of #Rihannaing fame), basically #SensMotB is a way for Sens fans to pledge donations to the Sens Foundation based on certain events during the game. Head here to read more about the idea and to find out how you can get involved!
