2. Chris Kunitz eliminates Senators in 2017 Eastern Conference Finals
When the Senators began their quest to win the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, not many gave the team a shot to win it all. However, it didn't bother the Senators one bit.
The Senators silenced critics when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade after eliminating the Rangers on the road in Game 6 in the second round. Standing in the Senators' way to win the East were the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. When the Senators made the Stanley Cup Finals 10 years prior, they defeated the Penguins in the playoffs, so the Senators were eager to continue their irony of defeating the Penguins in their quest to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
After four hard fought games, the series was tied up at two after a Penguins 3-2 win in Game 4. Hope appeared to be gone for the Senators after an embarrassing 7-0 defeat in Game 5, but the Senators responded with a 2-1 win in Game 6. A Game 7 was needed in the Steel City.
The Senators trailed 2-1 past halfway of the third period after a Justin Schultz powerplay goal, but Ryan Dzingel tied the game with 5:19 remaining in the period. Overtime would then be needed to decide who is going to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Momentum was on the Senators side with not only scoring late to tie the game, but they had won Game 1 of the series in overtime. After a scoreless first overtime, a second overtime was needed.
Stanley Cup hopes and dreams were dashed when Chris Kunitz fired a shot past Craig Anderson to advance the Penguins for the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season. The Penguins went on to defeat the Nashville Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, so Senator fans were even more sick to their stomach.
What stings more about the playoff series loss is Ottawa hasn't returned to the playoffs since. Kunitz has set the Senators back ever since his goal.