Ottawa Senators

After yesterday's positivity, time to be a little real. The Senators are in tough. They've got a substantial hole to climb from against a team that expert panels were falling over themselves to pick as the Stanley Cup champion before the playoffs even began. The fact is, the Pittsburgh Penguins are a very very good hockey team. I would argue that there hasn't been another team like them in the cap era, they are oozing all-stars and they have extremely strong supporting players. Sure, the Islanders exposed some weaknesses in the first series, but once they brought Tomas Vokoun in to lock it down, they've looked very strong. So the Senators are in tough. They've got a mountain to climb. They've exceeded expectations in the face of serious adversity all year, and now they either do it or go home. They aren't going to quit, but they will need a number of things to go right. Here is a sampling. Discipline In games two and three, the Senators penalty kill was excellent. However, when you play with fire don't be surprised when it scores a bunch of goals on you (that is the saying, right?). Now, a number of calls have been questionable, and the Pens will get on the powerplay at some point, but those opportunities need to be very limited to have a chance. Goaltending Has been the centre of the Sens peskiness all freakin' year. Craig Anderson played like an animal after he was pulled last time, he'll need to be otherworldly tonight. Rebounds They are there. Tomas Vokoun leaves them, nice and juicy. Need to be like Kyle Turris last game and get to those pucks first, because that is where the goals will be. Hero We need one tonight. While every player needs to have their best game of the season tonight, the fact is the Sens need a hero. Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza or someone of less notoriety, it does not matter. A big performance is needed from someone in addition to Craig Anderson. Bounces This is just a fact. Watching the New York Rangers last night, they don't win that game without some crazy bounces. Need them tonight, so pray to the hockey gods today. And if this is the last stop, its been a hell of a ride. Go Sens Go Sens Links: In support of Daniel Alfredsson's comments by former player Justin Bourne. [TBS] In a season marker by adversity, tonight is the biggest test. [NP] Some inspiration for the Senators from a former Canadian Olympian (sorry, slow link day). [CBC] A little humour on the subject of Alfie's comments from Chet Sellers. [RBM] Varada asks, can we really blame the referees? I say no. They've been bad, but that is not the answer. [WTYKY] The Sens aren't going to quit now. Great quotes in this article for all the effing morons Alfie haters out there. [SE] Another well written article, much in Alfie's defence. [Scanlan] Another split prediction panel. [PP]

ShareThis The big line is back as the Ottawa Senators hope to extend their season Friday night. ShareThis

The Sens find a very formidable opponent in... THE REFS. Pittsburgh brings it to the Sens in a couple bad games. By not knowing what would be a good hit and physicality to bring, Ottawa is on the brink of elimination. Round 2, Game 2: Sens 3 at Pens 4 Round 2, Game 3: Pens 1 at Sens 2 (2OT) Round 2, Game 4: Pens 7 at Sens 3 We got some fantastic game submissions and recaps from listeners, review some player impressions, see what's happening around the league and review some other award nominees, and read some e-mails.

ShareThis The Ottawa Senators continue their playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Which team will come out on top? Our prediction panel weighs in. ShareThis

ShareThis People have been writing off the 2013 Ottawa Senators since before the season even started. ShareThis

ShareThis In the great tradition of NHL playoff hockey, the Ottawa Senators have soared the heights and plumbed the depths. ShareThis

ShareThis Daniel Alfredsson took a beating Thursday in the court of public opinion for stating that the Ottawa Senators would "probably not" be able to overcome a 3-1 deficit and defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins. ShareThis

ShareThis When the meltdown occurred and the Ottawa Senators fell apart Wednesday night, an odd thing happened in the crowd. ShareThis

The Penguins explode for 7 goals in game 4, giving them a 3-1 series lead If you didn't watch last night's game, and have somehow made it through the day without hearing about it, here's the link to NHL.com's boxscore. Spoiler alert: it's not pretty if you're a Sens fan. You know that feeling you get when your alarm goes off Monday morning after a long-weekend. Well that's what last night's game was for Senators fans: a rude awakening signalling troubling times ahead. Now down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series, the Senators are one loss away from hanging up their jerseys for the season, and one of them might be hanging it up for good. Now it's hard to find the right words when talking about the admiration and respect the Senators' fans have for their captain. After last night's loss, I was quickly reminded that it may have been the last home game EVER for number 11 and quickly became sick to my stomach. That said, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone at Scotiabank Place who stuck around until the very end regardless of the final score. Like our captain, you showed great class by sticking it out. As if watching these games hasn't been difficult and heart wrenching enough as is, now they're in a do-or-die situation and I'll be making sure a defibrillator is within arms reach while watching game five. Bottom line is: they need to win. Win it for themselves; win it for the city; but most importantly, win it for Alfie. Regardless of his post-game comments, we all know Alfredsson will play hard on Friday and do everything in his power to win the game —as he has done in every game he's ever played. I guess the main message here is that lowering your expectations won't stop you from being disappointed if they lose. So expect the best-case-scenario; expect them to win. Being a true fan means being able to support your team no matter how bleak and improbable a victory may seem (see Leafs fans for the last decade). All we can do is: The Sens are down, but they're not out. The Penguins explode for 7 goals in game 4, giving them a 3-1 series lead If you didn't watch last night's game, and have somehow made it through the day without hearing about it, here's the link to NHL.com's boxscore. Spoiler alert: it's not pretty if you're a Sens fan. You know that feeling you get when your alarm goes off Monday morning after a long-weekend. Well that's what last night's game was for Senators fans: a rude awakening signalling troubling times ahead. Now down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series, the Senators are one loss away from hanging up their jerseys for the season, and one of them might be hanging it up for good. Now it's hard to find the right words when talking about the admiration and respect the Senators' fans have for their captain. After last night's loss, I was quickly reminded that it may have been the last home game EVER for number 11 and quickly became sick to my stomach. That said, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone at Scotiabank Place who stuck around until the very end regardless of the final score. Like our captain, you showed great class by sticking it out. As if watching these games hasn't been difficult and heart wrenching enough as is, now they're in a do-or-die situation and I'll be making sure a defibrillator is within arms reach while watching game five. Bottom line is: they need to win. Win it for themselves; win it for the city; but most importantly, win it for Alfie. Regardless of his post-game comments, we all know Alfredsson will play hard on Friday and do everything in his power to win the game —as he has done in every game he's ever played. I guess the main message here is that lowering your expectations won't stop you from being disappointed if they lose. So expect the best-case-scenario; expect them to win. Being a true fan means being able to support your team no matter how bleak and improbable a victory may seem (see Leafs fans for the last decade). All we can do is: The Sens are

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Soo.... yikes. In the span of about four hours last night, the mood around the Ottawa Senators, its fans changed considerably. The way the team is viewed by the national media and fans from around the league, seemed to have changed. I understand that this time of year people are very emotionally invested in the team, and while a double overtime win can help your spirits soar, the drubbing the Sens took last night is tough. So here we are. The morning after. Yesterday we were talking about how pesky the team was, how they never say die. Experts were saying they had a good feeling about them, because they never quit. Today? We sit here bombarded with questions about Daniel Alfredsson's leadership. About Paul MacLean blowing his stack last night. About how, "it has been a good run". About the "Pesky Pens". I think, however, that I can find some digital ink to talk about some positives from last night and going forward into game 5. So in honour of Paul MacLean's 13 second press conference, here are my top 13 positive thoughts. Craig Anderson: The guy was lights out in the first half of the game. It slipped away from him like it did for the rest, but his record after being pulled is something else. Erik Karlsson: No, he is not the Erik Karlsson of old, and yes he is still getting caught defensively on occasion. But he was in the play more last night, and had 2 assists to show for it. The Powerplay: Actually didn't look horrible (though it barely saw the ice). If Jason Spezza scores instead of hitting the post, this is an entirely different game. The Penalty Kill: Sure is getting a lot of work, and while it gave up a couple last night, it has been strong in this series against a Penguins powerplay that is almost unfair. Tomas Vokoun: Not sure how he is getting the job done, but he is. Fact is, he looks shaky and is giving up rebounds galore, and that means there are goals to be scored there. We scored first: And that means we held a lead. In fact, we held a lead twice. Which means we can. This team doesn't give up leads often, so don't expect it to happen again. Erik Condra, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Colin Greening: Need I say more? This line has been excellent especially in Pittsburgh where the Sens will need a spark. Milan Michalek's Speed: Has been lacking. Last night he flew for that goal. That speed on the PK may give the Pens something to think about. Kyle Turris: How awesome has he been? His 5th goal of the playoffs last night and he is doing a great job head to head with Sidney Crosby, no small feat. No Pressure: Would be stretching it if I said the Sens have them right where they want them, but the fact is all of the pressure is on the Pens to close this out. Speaking of which... Pens are 0-6 under Dan Bylsma when trying to close a series in Pittsburgh. (Trib) Perspective: There are 15 teams in the East. After tonight, there could be 3 left standing and our Senators are one of those teams. Impressive. (Yost) It is not over: Despite the obit nature of some of the articles you are seeing, we get at LEAST one more Senators game this year. Its been a fun ride, but we aren't at the end yet. Feel a little better? Sens Links: Let us get this out of the way: Alfie's "Probably not" comment. [PD] Recaps of the game [SSS] [Globe] [Pensburgh] Aftermath [6thSens] [Milks] [Warren] Paulrus Presser [PD] [SE] See you in Pittsburgh.