Dream Over!

The dream of repeating what the Dallas Stars did in the first two years of the EHE is over!  No repeat in the cards for the Nation’s Capital.  The Ottawa Senators were bounced by the Boston Bruins in 6 games in the first round.  It was a heartbreaker for the Senators who felt like their playoffs woes were now behind them.  After being dismissed in the 1^st round in the first two years of EHE, they went on an improbable run last year that culminated in a Cup victory.  For much of the season last year, it looked like they wouldn’t even make the playoffs.  Then Ottawa went on an absolute tear to not only make the playoffs but win the ultimate prize in sports, the Lord Stanley. 

This year started off with a bad hangover.  They just couldn’t find their game.  Led by their captain and star, Evgeni Malkin, the Senators became stronger as the season went on.  It was looking more and more like they would be serious contenders in there Cup finals.  Malkin, who was completely overlooked and disrespected by not being selected for the All-Star game, used the snub to light the NHL on fire.  He finished with 85 points, and was the huge reason why the Senators looked like they could be repeat champs.  In game 1 against the hated Boston Bruins, Evgeni Malkin looked like a man possessed, and scored a remarkable 5 goal game.  Malkin tied for first for the most goals in one playoff game with the likes of Newsy Lalonde (1919), Maurice Richard (1944), Darryl Sittler (1976), Reggie Leach (1976), and Mario Lemieux (1989) with the 5 goals.  Absolutely exclusive company he just joined.  This one player dominance had Boston GM Pierrick Cote saying “Can someone tell Malkin to calm the fuck down. Please.”  Malkin had the Sens looking like an unstoppable force after that historic game.  Boston had other ideas though, as whatever was said before game two in the Bruins locker room worked.

The Bruins not only shut down Evgeni Malkin, but they shut down everyone in a Sens jersey, as the Bruins and Mr. Craig Anderson (former and beloved Senator) posted back to back shutouts.  This had put a lot of doubt in Sens nation, as everyone remembers the first round flops in the first two years.  The Senators were able to take game 4 and even the series, but these Boston Bruins seem to be a team of destiny.  The Bruins were HEAVY favourites to win it all last year, but bowed out in round 1.  Well this team is just as talented as it was last year, and they did not want history to repeat itself.  They came out and clobbered Ottawa 5-1 in game 5.  Then after falling down 3-0 to Ottawa in game 6, a familiar face to Ottawa, Erik Karlsson, not only tied the game with under two and a half minutes left in the game, but he also scored the game winner in OT.

With that, the Ottawa Senators have failed to make it out of the first round in three of the four years.  The only saving grace is that one year, they won the cup.  The Ottawa Senators though have a ton of tough decisions ahead of them, and a possible roster remake.  Future Hall of Famers, Zdeno Chara and Henrik Zetterberg will be headed to Free Agency, alongside Marc Methot, Michael Frolik, Dale Weise and John Mitchell.  There could be a lot of turnover in the Red Jerseys, but they are hoping players like Charles Hudon, Ondrej Kase, Tomas Nosek, Noel Acciari, and Christian Djoos step up to the pros.  At least the Senators have their heart and soul and captain, Evgeni Malkin, tagged with their FT, alongside JVR.  This could be an interesting off-season for the Senators, which is why is hurt so much to be ousted in the first round this year. 

All the best to those hated Boston Bruins going forward.