The Ottawa Senators have made significant strides to make lemonade out of the giant lemon that Brady Tkachuk turned out to be. The additions made to the roster promise to elevate the Sens’ overall capabilities.
However, the Senators find themselves in one of the NHL’s most dangerous arms races. The Atlantic Division has seen teams load up in hopes of securing a spot in next spring’s playoffs.
While the Senators haven’t exactly sat on their hands, there is no question they face an uphill battle. The likes of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres should remain tough outs. The improved Toronto Maple Leafs could become a major obstacle along the way. And even the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings won’t be easy to get around.
So, does that mean that the Senators won’t be a playoff team next season?
We’ve seen the Sens defy the odds. Even during complex hardships, the club has rallied to pull out big wins when needed the most. That’s why it will take a team effort for the Senators to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Senators should be in the thick of playoff race all season
We all know there are no guarantees in sports. Teams that look like locks to win can falter when least expected.
So, the Senators won’t be taking anything for granted this upcoming season. They’ll have to fight for every inch in the standings. And believe it, the standings should be packed tighter than a can of sardines in the East.
If last season was any indication, there won’t really be much separation until the second half of the season. Just about every team in the East had a chance to make the postseason well after the New Year.
This season shouldn’t be much different. There might be one or two clubs around the league that could fall off the radar early. But beyond that, just about every club should have a chance at locking down a playoff spot.
That’s the reality of today’s NHL. Few teams are “out of it”. The league has succeeded in fomenting parity, leading to the jam-packed standings for most of the season.
The good news is that the Senators don’t have to rely on anyone but themselves to make the postseason. Once they’re in, they’ll have the same shot that everyone does to hoist the Stanley Cup.
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