SENS ARE 0-5 IN GAME 7s

A quick look at the Senators’ playoff history in Game 7s:

1.

April 29, 1997, Sabres 4, Senators 3 (OT), at Buffalo After making the playoffs for the first time in team history, the Senators saw their magical ride end in Buffalo.

Derek Plante’s shot at 5:24 of overtime slipped through Ron Tugnutt’s glove to give the Sabres the series win.

Still, the Senators were buoyed by what was ahead after an exciting playoff run.

2.

May 14, 2002, Maple Leafs 3, Senators 0, at Toronto Facing the Maple Leafs in the playoffs for the second straight year, the Senators failed to get by their rivals after a Game 7 stinker.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Senators, who were up 3-2 in the series after a 4-2 win in Game 5. But they lost defenceman Zdeno Chara and centre Mike Fisher to injury, and the Leafs prevailed.

3.

May 23, 2003, Devils 3, Senators 2, at Ottawa The Senators looked poised to reach the Stanley Cup final for the first time in franchise history after Chris Phillips scored the OT winner in Game 6 to send the series to Ottawa.

Then Jeff Friesen put the dagger in the heart of Ottawa fans with the winner late to break a 2-2 tie. The Devils won the Cup that spring against the Anaheim Ducks and the Senators, who won the Presidents’ Trophy, always felt like this was a lost opportunity for one of the best teams they’d ever assembled.

4.

April 20, 2004, Maple Leafs 4, Senators 1, at Toronto More disappointment against the Maple Leafs in the spring.

Senators goalie Patrick Lalime had one of the worst nights of his career as Joe Nieuwendyk scored two firstperiod goals. It would also be the last time Jacques Martin would coach the team.

5.

April 26, 2012, Rangers 2, Senators 1, at New York The No. 8 seed Senators pushed the heavily favoured Blueshirts to the limit, but couldn’t pull off the upset.

After being unable to close out the Rangers at home in Game 6, only Daniel Alfredsson beat Henrik Lundqvist at Madison Square Garden.