Scanlan: One more game to decide it all
The stage was set for a grand Senate party, but the guests spoiled the fun.
The stage was set for a grand Senate party, but the guests spoiled the fun.
Staring elimination in the face, the New York Rangers walked into Scotiabank Place, “on the ropes,” as some described it, but walked out of it very much alive in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, after beating a slightly discombobulated Senators team 3-2 in Game 6.
The eighth-place Senators and their fans have enjoyed this unexpected playoff round so much, the run has been extended: to Game 7, Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Winner advances.
Not that this was the Senators chosen path, it is their fallback option. And they may regret, dearly, that Game 7 was even necessary. Frustration showed in the third period, with captain Daniel Alfredsson smashing his stick and stomping on a water bottle on the Senators bench. Top centre Jason Spezza was only on the ice for three shifts in the third period and head coach Paul MacLean, disappointed with his team’s play for all but the final six minutes, noted of Spezza, “he’s not injured.”
Not the evening expected by a capacity crowd at SBP set to explode if Ottawa could have clinched Round One at home, which hasn’t happened since late April of 2007. Alas, the Rangers and the pride of a first place club had something to say about it.
In what appeared to be the perfect party scene, Ottawa’s captain returned for what was to be a joyous occassion. Out since Game 2 with a concussion, Alfredsson announced on the morning of Game 6 he was returning to the lineup after a Game 2 concussion.
The first Alfredsson roar went up when he skated out for the pre-game warmup. The second Alfredsson cheer wasn’t for dad but his kids – Hugo and Loui, who skated out before the anthem carrying Senators flags.
The crowd ignited again when Alfredsson skated out for his first shift early in the first period.
“You have to play every game like it’s the biggest game of the year,” Alfredsson said about the playoff mindset.
With a chance to clinch on home ice, Game 6 was Ottawa’s biggest game in five years, and just as big in Sweden, with Alfredsson returning to a lineup that already contains Swedish defence sensation, Erik Karlsson, and now freshly arrived from conquering the Swedish Elite League, 21-year-old winger, Jakob Silfverberg.
Silfverberg only just return from his Swedish playoff adventure late Sunday afternoon, but the Senators opted to instantly insert him into the lineup.
Maybe they thought the Rangers would go away quietly, but MacLean said his team seemed “distracted” throughout the game and “played catch up” against the Rangers.
Composure was an issue for the Senators, who took eight penalties, including a two-man disadvantage in the second period.
“It’s a tough call to put a team down 5-on-3 in a real tight series,” Spezza said. “We haven’t seen of those yet.”
Until now.
Deflecting a Sergei Gonchar shot, Neil had staked the Senators to the early lead they wanted, but the Rangers fought back with three goals in the second period.
Asked about how the start of the game might shape the outcome, Rangers goaltender Lundqvist said: “All that matters is how you finish it.”
The Rangers finished it by responding with their first win since Game 3′s 1-0 shutout.
Before the game, Rangers captain Ryan Callahan said:
“We don’t want the season to end.”
He played like it. And so did a few other Rangers that had been passengers to this point. Derek Stepan, Brad Richards and rookie Chris Kreider scored the New York goals. A goal by Spezza off a wild scramble with 38 seconds to go in regulation made things interesting. Upon review, it was deemed inconclusive, whether Neil had kicked the puck in after booting Lundqvist’s glove.
“It’s a joke, somebody wanted them them back in the game,” Lundqvist said.
Ottawa had its chances to build on a first period lead, but several times they tried to make a cute play instead of just throwing pucks at the net.
Spezza was among those who passed up on shooting chances, though he did help draw a Rangers penalty when he swooped behind the New York net and a cross check ensued out front.
“We want to get off to a great start and try to take away their will, right away,” Spezza had said.
Stealing the Rangers will proved to be more difficult than gaining a lead.
Despite the loss, the Senators remain the lone Canadian-based team still active in the NHL playoffs.
“You just want to be the last team standing, period,” Spezza said.
For now, they still have that chance, but will have to do it the long way, at MSG, where they have enjoyed two wins in this series.
Game 7: The faint of heart need not apply.
Loss borne of ego. The golden helmet means nothing to playoff tested NHLers, and neither does the SEL. Jakob should take a seat and let those with experience on NHL-sized and North Amaerican ice play here in the playoffs. Stone should have played but got demoted because Murray wanted to show the world his new toy and the Senators paid for it.
Sad, but lesson learned.
You don’t change a winning line-up…
There was alot of giveaways and that is something that really destroys the momentum for a team and the second period was a good example of that. Spezza may score but he needs to be more careful. There where also other players that did’nt play safe in SENS zone. That’s my opinion of what really happened and the young swede did more than enough. He checked Gaborik on a break away and became better each shift he played. If he plays the next game it would really be interesting to see what he can accomplish.
I disagree strongly with your reasoning. Perhaps it wasnt ideal to let Silfverberg play yesterday considering he must be suffering from a major jet-lag at this point, but being the most valuable player in the SEL especially with his way of playing I think he would fit perfectly in the NHL playoffs, but i also think it was wrong to put Stone on the bench considering he’s been doing pretty well. But i also think players like Spezza (please shoot sometimes this year and stop looking for the pass so the chance runs out in the sand) and I also thibk Gonchar shouldnt play in the PP since he’s probably the slowest shooter in the playoffs.
Spezza’s goal should not have counted. BS call. If Neil did not use a “distinct kicking motion” then I am an alien from Mars. Very tough series so far. I look forward to an equally exciting game on Thursday night. PS… ALFIE ALFIE ALFIE
I realize that MacLean is untouchable at this point — and of course it’s possible that having Jakob in the lineup was Murray’s call — but it defies logic. As does having an assemblage of 3rd and 4th liners on the ice late in the game for a crucial PP. Gotta pin a healthy share of the responsibility for this loss on MacLean’s shoulders, it seems. Winning a Game 7 at MSG ain’t gonna be easy.
If you’d like to see the Stanley Cup, please visit the States.
Lord Stanley is a naturalized US citizen now.
The Cup is as American as baseball and apple pie!
“Spezza was among those who passed up on shooting chances”. As good as he is, he frustrates the heck out of me when he has golden opportunities to shoot and possibly create a rebound if it doesn’t go it. His no-look pass to a Ranger in the offensive zone, on the power play, in the second period was (to me) the turning point of this game. It killed the momentum of that power play (the Rangers were scrambling) and a penalty on Ottawa ensued seconds later.
Dude, just shoot the puck will you????? You can’t make the play of the day all the time!
Do you think a lot of that had to do with Ranger players in the shooting lanes getting ready to block shots?
I counted 4 times when there was either no traffic within 10 feet or a perfect screen. I’m not the only one who noticed since it’s also mentioned in the articled and was also noted on the telecast on NBC.
you don’t get a penalty in the offensive zone when you have a power play. VERY DUMB. The Sens did that.
Sens have been a pleasure to watch! My only complaint are those hypocritical Ottawa fans, who a few weeks ago were chanting ‘Go Leafs Go’ in their own building when the Sens played the Leafs. It drives me crazy! You have a terrific young bunch of players there in Ottawa that are giving the first place Rangers a run for their money. Put away the blue and white and get behind your team right from the get-go. Just don’t back your team in the play-offs! If it kills me seeing a sea of blue and white at Scotiabank place when he Leafs are in town imagine how those players feel. You should be proud of this club! Support them throughout the whole year!
How about a spelling and grammar check before posting a story. Jiminy, this thing was aweful to decipher Mr. Scanlan.
The sens didn’t lose because they brought in Silfverberg or because they seemed distracted. They lost because of Michalek’s careless penalty in the offsensive zone during a pp. That, and substandard reffing led to what I see as the turning point in last night’s game. Alfredsson had reason to be frustrated and there is nothing wrong with him showing his displeasure, he’s been the heart and soul of this team for years, he’s a competitor and wants what’s best for the team. He did (breaking his stick) what most of us felt like doing and we should support him, that what true fans do – stand by there team no matter what. Go Sens Go!
The Rangers were the better team… especially 5 on 5.. The Sens PP is pathetic and they kept taking penalties while on the PP. No wonder they were getting frustrated..
But Alfie, you are the leader and the young guys look up to you… you have to control your emotions in a game like that… Now the Rangers in game 7 will do everything they can to get you off your game again… It’s up to you to set an example and not do that…
It was a close game until Mr. Peel decided to call a goaltending interference penalty on Foligno — who was pushed into Lundquist by a Ranger player… Then called Silfverberg on a penalty very similar to what Prust did to Karlsson after the whistle in the 1st period.. and he got nothing.. so the Rangers had a long 5 on 3 where they got that 2nd goal.
Then in the 3rd the Rangers while on the PK flipped the puck over the glass but no penalty.. and it was NOT deflected by anybody… Sens would have had a 5 on 3…
Those 2 refs last night should be very ashamed of how they called that game… on both sides.. not just on the Sens side..
But if Michalek is suspended for what the Rangers claim was a kick while at the bottom of a scrum on the last Sens goal… the Sens have no chance in game 7… Especially if O’Rourke is calling the game… and you can bet he will be…
I agree Sandy, the Rangers ARE the better team in this series.
You sens fans run around whining about the officiating while your goon squad of Carkner, Michalek, Neil, and Konopka can have free reign without getting called for things that would get most players suspended. You guys are freakin blind. It’s a joke that Carkner only got one game, and a joke that Neil didn’t get suspended for taking out Boyle, and it’s a joke that nothing has happened with the disciplinary office with
Michalek and Neil for last night’s BS. At least in the USA, our divers spend time in the Summer olympics and not the NHL playoffs. Neil is a goon and a clown. He’s going to come into NYC and make threats? I’d love to see it. He’s too much of a wimp to get in a fight with Rupp, but he’ll take on Prusty.
Whatever, Rupp should just start punching him in the face without giving him the chance to respond just like Carkner did – that way Konopka can get a third man in penalty or something.
Face it Sens fans, your team is trash! Enjoy the golf season, it starts Friday! Keep whining guys, it’s hilarious!