The Senators will be a tough out in the playoffs
You’ve got to hand it to the team in Canada’s capital. It’s been a turbulent season for the Ottawa Senators, as they’ve dealt with uncertain goaltending and their captain’s podcast seemingly taking shots at them. Still, they’ve persevered, and after their 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, have a stranglehold on the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
With a 6-3-1 record over their past 10 games, the Senators are playing some of their best hockey of the season. With goaltender Linus Ullmark having found his stride over the last few games, and the talent that exists through the rest of their lineup, Ottawa poses a much bigger threat than a typical eighth seed. There’s still time for the Senators to catch the Boston Bruins for the first wild card spot, but either way, they’ll present a difficult matchup for whichever team they draw in the first round.
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed why Ottawa isn’t a team you’d want to face in the playoffs.
Carter Hutton: If I’m picking my poison, I’d probably rather draw the Boston Bruins than the Ottawa Senators at this point. The way they compete, the way they play. And not that Boston or any matchup is a cakewalk, but I think the Bruins are an easier matchup for a first-placed seed.
Tyler Yaremchuk: If it’s Sens vs. Canes in round one, what would you pick?
Carter Hutton: I don’t know. That’s a tough one. Because I start thinking about Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, and (Drake) Batherson, these guys that can be bigger difference makers. These are two teams that are going to check hard and defend well. Then you look at the goalie situation. Is it Freddie (Andersen)? You know his playoff history. And then you have Brandon (Bussi). Not that Ullmark’s been this playoff gem, but I think overall in a one-game showdown if a goalie is on his game, Ullmark is the better of the three goalies.
You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Friday’s episode here…