With the Senators on a 4 game slide, they will be looking to a bitter rival for some assistance over the next few days. I know it goes against the grain, but it is what is in the best interest for the Senators.
The New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs square off in a home and home series beginning in Toronto tonight, and then a return matchup in NYC on Wednesday. Even though I fully expect the Senators to right their ship tomorrow night against Tampa, a bit of help from the Blue and White in terms of a sweep of this double-header with the Rangers wouldn’t hurt.
Mar 30, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Frazer McLaren is shoved by Ottawa Senators right wing Chris Neil (25) in the third period at Scotiabank Place. The Leafs defeated the Senators 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers trail the Senators by 2 points in the standings that are becoming very compressed, with 6 teams within 4 points going for 4 playoff spots – the top spot in the Southeast and the 6-7-8 seeds. Toronto, currently in the 5th seed, is pretty much guaranteed a playoff berth, being 6 points up on 9th.
Ottawa is still in good shape, but for the first time this season I had real doubts about their chances after last night’s game. It would still take a monumental collapse combined with 4 teams passing them, but it is getting too close for comfort.
Putting a couple more notches in the Rangers’ L column this week would go a long way to quelling the uneasiness currently being felt in Sens Army.