Game 7 is no heaven for Sens

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

SABRES 4, SENATORS 3 (OT), AT BUFFALO April 29, 1997

After making the playoffs for the first time in team history, the Senators saw their magical ride come to an end in an overtime loss against 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 such an exciting playoff run.

MAPLE LEAFS 3, SENATORS 0, AT TORONTO May 14, 2002

Facing the Maple Leafs in the playoffs for the second straight year, the Senators failed to get by their provincial 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 4-2 win in Game 5. But they lost defenceman Zdeno Chara and centre Mike Fisher to injury, and the Leafs prevailed.

DEVILS 3, SENATORS 2, AT OTTAWA May 23, 2003

The Senators looked like they were poised to head to Stanley Cup final for the first time in team history after Chris Phillips scored the OT winner in Game 6 to send the series back to Ottawa.

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

MAPLE LEAFS 4, SENATORS 1, AT TORONTO April 20, 2004

More disappointment against the Maple Leafs in the spring.

Senators goaltender Patrick Lalime had one of the worst nights of his career as Joe Nieuwendyk scored two first-period goals to help secure the win.

It would also be the last time Jacques Martin would coach the team. He was fired after the season.

RANGERS 2, SENATORS 1, AT NEW YORK April 26, 2012

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 was able to beat Henrik Lundqvist at Madison Square Garden as the Senators exited from the post-season in Round 1.