Senators charged with rebounding after 7-0 disaster

ottawa» Guy Boucher has typically kept his team off the ice on off days during the postseason. Not Monday.

The Ottawa coach opted for a half-hour practice ahead of Game 6 on Tuesday night to help his team “refresh” and “reload” after a 7-0 beating by Pittsburgh, one of the worst losses in team playoff history. Players thought the practice, as well as an encouraging talk beforehand, helped wipe the slate clean as they prepare for an elimination game. The Penguins lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-2 and will return to the Stanley Cup Final with a win.

“We can’t be sitting in our mud puddle,” Boucher said after practice.

Reloading against an opponent vying for back-to-back Stanley Cups means reverting back to strengths of the club. In Sunday’s blowout loss, Boucher said, he thought his team tried to trade goals with the highscoring Penguins — an odd choice for a Senators team that thrives on shutting down opponents.

“If we stay away from our strengths there’s no chance,” Boucher said Monday. “We’re aware of that. We got slapped — hard enough. The reality sets back in.”

Coming back to topple the Penguins means reclaiming the staunch defensive approach which got Ottawa further than some expected. That includes a better performance from Craig Anderson, who has allowed seven goals on 49 shots after stopping 80-of-83 in the opening three games.

Boucher recalled the message he delivered before the postseason began.

“It’s about the ability to reload as fast as you can,” Boucher said. “And if you can’t do that then you’re in the wrong business because that’s what it’s about.”