Mar 10, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) scores on Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) to tie the game in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Predators defeated the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
To borrow a line from a Tom Petty song, the waiting is indeed the hardest part for the Ottawa Senators. After salvaging a point against the Nashville Predators on Monday night, the Senators are now off from game action until the visit the Montreal Canadiens.
It is tough for fans of the Senators to sit and watch their playoff hopes slip away, so imagine how excruciating it must be for the players who now have lost any control for the next few days and will have to play cheerleader for their usual opponents.
As it sits right now, the Senators are 3 points out of a playoff spot. With 4 teams to pass. It can only get worse between now and Saturday, because the teams ahead of them will be playing games, and against each other in some cases.
Here is how many games each team plays between now and the next time the Senators take the ice:
New Jersey – 2
Washington – 2
Detroit – 2 (incl Columbus)
Columbus -2 (incl Detroit)
Philadelphia – 1
Tampa Bay – 1
New York Rangers – 3
So, best case scenario is the Blue Jackets beat Detroit in regulation and get into the mix for the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division. And everyone else loses all of their games. That would leave the Senators 5 points back.
Like I said, that would be best case scenario and not likely to happen.
Worst case scenario, the teams all win their games with Detroit and Columbus playing a 3 point game and Ottawa would be 7 points back and out of touch with the 4 they are chasing, and they could start making their travel plans for the middle of April.
Its a tough task ahead of them as it stands right now, and even if the best case scenario happens over the next 4 nights, it is only going to get tougher when they get back on the ice Saturday.