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Ottawa Senators: An Aura of Panic Surrounds the Nation’s Captial

By Alexander O'Reilly

May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) sits on the bench after being pulled in favor of Ottawa Senators goalie Mike Condon (not pictured) during the third period of game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) sits on the bench after being pulled in favor of Ottawa Senators goalie Mike Condon (not pictured) during the third period of game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ottawa Senators have dropped both games in New York to the Rangers by scores of 4-1.

With this happening the Sens have also seen their 2-0 series lead evaporate and with it so have the hopes of many fans. Ottawa’s done, they have no chance, the series is over. These are the sentiments that have been shown around the league since the loss in game four. The analysts and experts are quick to point out that all the momentum is with the Rangers. Many fans seem to buy into this as well. There doesn’t seem to be much hope in the Sens Army.

The State of the Series

However, despite all this, the series is tied 2-2. It’s a best of three now, and the Ottawa Senators still have home ice advantage. This was never going to be an easy series. The Rangers weren’t going to go quietly in four or five games. This was always going to be a hard fought six or seven game series. The momentum may be with the Rangers at the moment but the momentum was with Ottawa after game two. The Rangers fought back after losing two in a row and so can the Sens.

A Need for Change

Things do need to change but this team is capable of adapting and coming back better. They need to set the pace of the game and be more aggressive in the offensive zone. They need to win more puck battles so they can generate more offensive zone time. The past two games the Rangers have been able to shut down Ottawa at the blue line. They’ll also need a little more from Craig Anderson. While this team is very good defensively, they’re also prone to momentary defensive lapses. It doesn’t help that Michael Grabner is so fast that he’ll get a breakaway a game. The Sens need Anderson to make a save and keep them in it. Everything boils down to being less passive and getting decent goaltending. Ottawa only lost three games in a row just four times this season. Two of those stretches were near the end of the season when have the team was out of the lineup. The Ottawa Senators will bounce back.

Hope

The playoffs are a rocky road. Every team faces adversity on the road to sixteen wins. The Rangers are coming back into town and they haven’t won here yet. They won’t start now. The series isn’t over until someone hits four wins and last I checked no one has more than two. I think that team will be the Sens. Now is the time the Ottawa Senators prove they belong.

Go Sens Go

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