Not all that long ago I was hoping Ottawa would tank to get the best available prospect to help this team out in the future. While it was fun to see the Sens win a game, I truly believed the future of the club was in this years draft. But now, after going 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, my inner fan has awoken. Only 7 points out of a playoff spot with 10 games remaining? I know the chances are slim, I’m not an idiot, but with the way Ottawa has been playing of late, why not dream of a 12th consecutive playoff birth?
The scenarios are endless, but if Ottawa can manage to end up playing their last 10 games of the season like the last 10 as of now, they will end up with 90+ points. I think 90 points is a reachable goal, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. The teams currently within reach (Carolina, Montreal, Florida, Buffalo) would need a pretty dismal record to end up beneath the Senators, but it could happen. If Montreal finishes at the same pace as their last 10 (3-5-2), they will have 89 points. Florida, at their current pace (4-4-2), would end up with 90 points, leaving the season series to be the tie breaker. Ottawa is 1-1-1 against the Panthers this season, which makes the final meeting of the season a must-win for the Sens. The Buffalo Sabres, only 2 points ahead of Ottawa, have been absolutely brutal in their last 10 (3-6-1) without Ryan Miller. Since Miller is back to skating and will likely return soon, it would be hard to believe that the Sabres will continue at the same pace, which means Ottawa must do at least 1 win better than Buffalo down the stretch for a 90 point tie again going to Ottawa (5-1-0 against the Sabres this season). The Carolina Hurricanes, although a long shot, could end up below the 90 point mark with only 8 games remaining and currently at 85 points.
So realistically it can happen, Sens just need a win in Florida and for Montreal and Florida to continue their subpar play as of late. Senator’s owner Eugene Melynk may be a modern day prophet back in December, “….the media is going to call this a miracle turnaround, not me. To me, I know where we’re going. We’re going to grind out every game. I can see those headlines come March: ‘Big miracle turnaround,’ and all that. I’m not saying that at all. We don’t need a miracle. We just need to go play and we have the talent.” So far this “miracle turnaround” is right on schedule. Its nice to know that Mr. Melnyk has the faith that most of us fans lost in our downward spiral during the 2008-2009 season under Hartsburg. In Melynk we trust!
