Although the Ottawa Senators haven't won a Stanley Cup in franchise history, that doesn't mean the franchise has had memorable playoff moments.
Memorable moments that will forever be remembered in franchise history are playoff overtime winners. If players want to be remembered for a goal in their career, a playoff overtime goal is a great way to solidify being a hero.
Since the Senators first made the playoffs in 1997, many different heroes have come through in the clutch to help the Senators win a playoff game in overtime. Their goals will forever be part of Senators history.
Top 5 most memorable playoff OT winners in Senators history
When the Senators won these playoff games, they either sent Sens fans into a frenzy, or had a memorable crowd silencer. Here are the most memorable playoff overtime winners in Senators history.
5. Chris Neil's only playoff overtime goal
The Senators entered the 2012 playoffs as the eighth seed and underdogs against the best team in the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers. While the Senators lost in heartbreaking fashion in a seven-game series, the Senators did put up a valiant effort.
Five of the seven games were decided by one goal. In Game 2 of the series, Senators legend Chris Neil scored one of the biggest goals in his career.
With Game 2 tied at two after 60 minutes, overtime was needed. The Senators needed a win at Madison Square Garden to prevent from falling 0-2 in the series.
At 1:17 of overtime, Neil scored the overtime winner on a backhander past Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to give the Senators the overtime win. For Neil to score the only playoff overtime goal in his career against a Hall of Fame goaltender, it will forever be a special moment in Neil's career.
4. Chris Phillips' only playoff overtime goal
Just like Neil, Chris Phillips will go down as a Senators legend for his longevity. Just like Neil, Phillips was part of the Senators' 2003 President's Trophy team and 2007 Stanley Cup team.
Fans will debate the best team in Senators history, but Phillips said the 2003 team is the best team in franchise history.
2003 will forever be heartbreaking in Senators history when Jeff Friesen scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals to help the New Jersey Devils eliminate the Senators at home in Game 7. But, the Senators wouldn't have had a chance to play in a Game 7 if it wasn't for Phillips.
In Game 6 of the series, the Senators headed to New Jersey trailing 3-2 in the series. Overtime would be needed to determine after the game was tied at one after 60 minutes. It was either the Devils would clinch the Prince of Wales Trophy at home, or the series would head back to Ottawa for Game 7.
At 15:51 of overtime, Phillips scored the overtime winner past Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur to force a Game 7. It was the only playoff overtime goal that Phillips scored in his career.
3. Kyle Turris against Rangers in 2017
After taking a 2-0 series lead in the 2017 second round against the Rangers, the Senators had a blow to their confidence after the Rangers won both Game 3 and Game 4 at home to tie the series at two.
Game 5 was pivotal as one team was going to take a 3-2 series lead going back to New York City for Game 6. Heading into the start of the third period, Game 5 wad tied at three. Then, Jimmy Vesey gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead with 7:12 remaining in regulation.
The Senators refused to quit. With 1:26 remaining, ex-Ranger Derick Brassard tied the game at four to force overtime. At 6:28 of overtime, Kyle Turris scored the overtime winner to give the Senators a 3-2 lead in the series.
Turris' overtime winner was pivotal to help the Senators win the series the very next game in New York City. However, there was another overtime winner against the Rangers in the same series that is more memorable in Senators history.
2. Pageau's four-goal performance completes comeback against Rangers
April 29, 2017, will forever be one of the Senators' most iconic wins in franchise history. The Senators entered Game 2 of their second round series against the Rangers up 1-0 in the series.
Game 2 appeared not meant to be with the Rangers up 5-3 late in the third period. Then, Jean-Gabriel Pageau arrived.
Trailing by two goals, Pageau scored with 3:19 remaining to make the deficit 5-4. Just 2:17 later, Pageau tied the game at five and sent the Ottawa faithful into a frenzy. Pageau's goal to tie the game at five was to complete the hat trick. Overtime would be needed.
If the Senators lost Game 2, Pageau's performance would've been wasted. In the second overtime, Pageau completed one of the greatest games in Senators history by scoring his fourth goal of the game to win it for the Senators at 2:54 of the second overtime. Saying Sens fans went berserk after Pageau's fourth goal of the game might be an understatement.
1. The captain sends the Senators to the Cup
2007 will forever be a special year in Senators history as it was the first time the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Finals. The most memorable playoff goal in Senators history happened to be the one that sent the 2007 Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals.
It was Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators had a 3-1 series lead heading into the game. A win and the Senators advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Senators held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period and were 20 minutes away from winning the Eastern Conference, but Maxim Afinogenov tied the game at two on the powerplay with 9:02 remaining in regulation. Overtime would be needed to determine a winner.
In overtime, captains on each team need to raise their game and show why they wear the C. At 9:32 of overtime, Daniel Alfredsson showed why he wore the C on his Senators jersey.
Alfredsson scored the overtime winner against 2007 All-Star goaltender Ryan Miller to send the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals. The win knocked out the 2007 President's Trophy out of the playoffs at home.
The Sabres had eliminated the playoffs in three different playoff meetings in 1997, 1999 and 2006. For the Senators to win the East in Buffalo after four playoff meetings, it makes Alfredsson's overtime winner more special.