Their season finale ended in a 4-2 loss to the Islanders
Season-long focus on shutting down opponents well-suited to post-season
The Ottawa Senators are more than ready to face the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Senators believe their ability to win low-scoring, tight-checking games throughout the regular season sets them up well for the second season.
“That was our theme,” Senators coach Guy Boucher said following Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, which ended the regular season. “Our theme was all about learning how to win the playoff way. So, when you get to the playoffs, it’s not a new way you have to play and you have to be cautious about this and making sure of that, because we’ve played that way all year.’’
There was a chance that Ottawa’s first-round opponent would be the Toronto Maple Leafs, however, a 3-2 loss to Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday in Toronto relegated the Leafs to the eighth and final playoff spot and a first-round matchup against top seed Washington Capitals. The Bruins finished third in the Atlantic Division by virtue of the Toronto loss, pitting them against the Sens.
“Approaching the playoffs, it shouldn’t be anything new. Maybe the intensity will be jacked up a little bit, but in terms of how we’ve played and what we needed to do to manage games, we’ve done that.”
In terms of personnel decisions, there are countless options for the coaching staff. Following Sunday’s game, where the Senators dressed a lineup full of many AHL call-ups, the talk was about players being willing to accept reduced ice time if it leads towards more team success. One possible combination is seeing Clarke MacArthur and Bobby Ryan back together. On Sunday, they played on a line with rookie centre Colin White, the first time they’ve seen action together in almost two seasons.
“Coach likes his pairs more than he likes his lines,” said Ryan, when asked where he could fit in. “Clarke and I recognize that there’s an opportunity for us to slot into that third line, or even fourth line minutes roll, which is OK for us, as long as we can to contribute.”
MacArthur, who has now played four games since his return from post-concussion syndrome, has been better and better with each new game.
MacArthur has been impressed with how the players have bought into Boucher’s approach. He suggests that gives them a heads-up when the puck drops next week.
“The biggest thing is we’ve been playing playoff games all year,” MacArthur said. “You play games where you get up a couple of goals and you tighten up and you try to do things the right way. In the playoffs, that’s what it’s going to come down to. You get a lead and you want to end it. For us to do that, that comes from doing it all season long. We should have that confidence if we get those leads, we should know how to play in these games.”
Approaching the playoffs, it shouldn’t be anything new. Maybe the intensity will be jacked up a little bit…