8. Almost pulling off the 8-seed upset in 2012
The Senators missed the playoffs in 2011 after making it in 2010. In 2012, the team got a big breakthrough from their young stud defenseman Erik Karlsson who would win the 2012 Norris Trophy at 21 years old. Karlsson's role was a key reason the Senators were able to sneak in the 2012 playoffs as an eighth seed. The Senators would be matched up against the heavily favored New York Rangers who finished with 17 more points than the Senators.
Even with the Rangers being a heavy favorite to win the series, it didn't bother the Senators one bit. Three of the first four games of the series were decided by one goal, and both of Ottawa's wins through the first four games were won in overtime.
The Senators sneaked out an impressive 2-0 shutout win in Game 5 to set up a chance to clinch the series and upset the Rangers at home in Game 6. The Senators lost Game 6 by a final of 3-2 to have a Game 7 be played in New York City. Game 7 was another similar result with the Senators losing by one goal for the second consecutive game. The Senators lost Game 7 by a final of 2-1 and were eliminated from the 2012 playoffs.
Five of the seven games in the series would be determined by one goal. For an eighth seed team to lose back-to-back games to lose the series by one goal will sting because upsets in the playoffs are remembered forever.
Had the Senators defeated the Rangers, they would've played the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round. The eventual Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils dominated the Flyers in five games in the second round, so the thought of having Ottawa dominate Philadelphia in the playoffs adds insult to injury.