In a month full of very important games for the Ottawa Senators, this Tuesday night could be the biggest, and they are not even going to touch the ice.
Each of the four teams ahead of the Sens in their chase for the elusive playoff spot are all in action, and the Senators need help to close the gap.
Here are the needed results in order of importance for the Senators:
Colorado Avalanche over Columbus Blue Jackets – The Blue Jackets currently occupy the second wild card spot, and are 4 points up on the Senators with a game in hand, that will be played tonight. A Blue Jackets win puts them 6 behind again and the Sens streak is really for naught. Even a single point for Columbus might be too much to overcome.
Dallas Stars over Washington Capitals – A Capitals win would be almost as destructive to the Sens playoff hopes as a Blue Jackets win would be. Even if the Blue Jackets lose and the Capitals win, the Senators would be 5 points back of the Caps.
Calgary Flames over Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs are in a free fall and even with a win wouldn’t put the Senators any farther behind their ultimate goal, but would make catching them more difficult.
Buffalo Sabres over New Jersey Devils – The Devils stayed a point up on the Senators with a win over the Panthers last night.
So while the Senators are not in action, this could be the night that determines their fate once and for all….or not.