Although the Ottawa Senators have not won a Stanley Cup in franchise history, the team still has had memorable playoff moments. Some of which are overtime winners.
Playoff overtime goals are always memorable for a franchise. The feeling of ending a game in overtime brings so much joy and excitement from players. However, the feeling of scoring a playoff overtime goal to win a series adds more excitement and is more memorable.
In Senators history, the team has had players score a playoff series clinching goal to advance to the next round. Since first making the playoffs in 1997, the franchise has seen electricfying series clinching goals.
Playoff OT goals to clinch playoff series in Senators history
The Senators have won a playoff series three times with a player scoring an overtime goal to clinch the series. Now, it's time to take a look back in Senators history with players who worked some overtime magic.
Martin Havlat, 2002 vs Flyers
It was in 2002 that the Senators won their first playoff series with an overtime win. It was the first round of the 2002 playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Leading the series 3-1, the Senators headed to Philadelphia for Game 5 eager to close the Flyers out on their home ice. With the game tied 1-1 after 60 minutes overtime was needed. The Flyers' only win of the series came in Game 1 with an overtime win, but the second time in overtime would favor the Senators.
After Keith Primeau was called for a penalty, the Senators found themselves on a powerplay. Marian Hossa would throw a pass in front for Martin Havlat to tap-in to beat Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher, and the Senators would advance to the second round.
Daniel Alfredsson, 2007 vs Sabres
2007 will forever be a special year for the Senators. It was the first time the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals. The player who scored the goal to send the Senators to the Stanley Cup Final couldn't have been a better choice than Daniel Alfredsson.
Heading into Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the President's Trophy winner Buffalo Sabres, the Senators had a 3-1 series lead. Eager to close out the Sabres in Buffalo, the game would need overtime with the game tied 2-2 after 60 minutes. Look no more than the best player in Senators history to score a goal every Sens fan remembers.
Alfredsson would fire a wrist shot past Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller to send the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Senators would get their payback after losing to the Sabres in the second round of the 2006 playoffs, and knock out the best team in the NHL in their own building.
Clarke MacArthur, 2017 vs Bruins
Ottawa's 2017 unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals will be remembered by fans. The first step to the Eastern Conference Finals came in the first round of the 2017 playoffs against the Boston Bruins.
The Senators and Bruins was a tight series all throughout with every game being decided by one goal. Four of the six games were decided in overtime. The last game decided in overtime was the series clincher for the Senators in Game 6.
After 60 minutes, the Senators and Bruins were tied 2-2. Like Havlat earlier mentioned, the Senators had history repeat itself 15 years later. David Pastrnak was called for a penalty that set up a Senators powerplay.
While on the powerplay, Clarke MacArthur had the puck come to him, and he delivered with beating Bruins goaltender Tuuka Rask to win the game and series for the Senators.
All three of the Senators' playoff overtime goals to clinch a series have all came on the road. Two of the three goals were scored on a powerplay, and all three playoff overtime goals were scored in the first overtime.