The Ottawa Senators find themselves in a familiar spot, with their backs against the wall. Following a heartbreaking double-overtime loss in Game 2, the series shifts back to the Canadian Tire Centre with the Carolina Hurricanes holding a 2-0 lead. If the Senators want to avoid a quick exit, their mindset needs to be based on resiliency.
Resiliency is key for the Senators
This roster shouldn’t be intimidated by an 0-2 hole. To even get into the playoffs, Ottawa had to play high-stakes, “must-win” hockey for nearly two months. Since the Olympic break, they’ve been one of the most resilient groups in the league, consistently bouncing back from tough losses to string together wins. They’ve already shown they can play the Hurricanes tight; they just need to find a way to finish.
Resiliency isn’t just about the scoreboard; it’s about the lineup too. Losing Artem Zub in Game 1 was a massive hit to the defensive rotation. Still, seeing Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson log nearly 40 minutes each in that double-OT game says a lot about this blue line. They’re clearly playing through a lot just to give their team a chance. For Ottawa to come back, the rest of the group needs to match that level.
The Senators now head back to a building that has been waiting for playoff hockey since last season when they were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The “Pesky Senators” identity has always been about a team that doesn’t really go away, and the home crowd is going to feed off that. If they can get an early goal in Game 3 and get the building going, the pressure starts to shift a bit.
In hockey, a 2-0 lead is often called the “most dangerous lead” for a reason. Teams tend to get complacent, whether that be with a 2-0 goal lead or series lead. The Hurricanes may sit back and feel that they have this series in full control, and before they know it, it’s tied 2-2. If the Senators can stay composed and handle the grind of the Hurricanes’ forecheck, they have the talent to make this a series. It starts with one win on Thursday night at home at the Canadian Tire Centre.
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