Sens shooting for first Game 7 victory
Winner of tonight’s game in Pittsburgh advances to Stanley Cup final against Nashville
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have had a knack for doing the unexpected this post-season. They’ll need to do it one more time to advance to their first Stanley Cup final in a decade.
The Senators take on the defending champion Penguins in Pittsburgh tonight in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final. The Senators are 0-for-5 all-time in Game 7s, tying them with the Arizona Coyotes for the worst record in all of North American pro sports.
Tonight’s winner advances to the Stanley Cup final against the Nashville Predators.
But this team has repeatedly rebounded after being written off in these playoffs, most recently in this series.
After losing back-to-back games to the Penguins, including an embarrassing 7-0 beating in Game 5, the Senators put forth one of their best efforts in Game 6 to take a 2-1 victory and force the deciding game.
“I remember coming home after we lost 7-0, and I was driving home talking to (defenceman Dion Phaneuf), and he was like ‘We’re going to get this series.’ And I was thinking the same thing, and it’s ‘How do you think that after you lose 7-0?’” said Ottawa forward Clarke MacArthur. “So we got one of the two and we have a job to do going into Game 7.”
Following the loss the Penguins were just as eager to put Game 6 behind them. Unlike the Senators, the Penguins are in familiar territory.
The Penguins were in the exact same position a year ago as they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final — the Penguins went on to win 2-1. Two weeks ago, the Penguins eliminated the President Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in Game 7 with a 2-0 victory.
However, the Penguins are 0-7 in Game 7 at home after losing Game 6 on the road.
Not surprisingly, the Penguins see their familiarity with Game 7s as an advantage.
“Well, I have to believe those experiences will serve our players well,” said Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan.
“It’s not something that’s new to them. These guys have been involved in these experiences on a number of occasions, and they have those experiences to draw on.
“You know, I think they know what to expect, and now it’s a matter of going out and earning it and controlling what they can and doing your very best to get the result that we’re looking for.”