What is the #1 reason that the Ottawa Senators are the best they have ever been in the playoffs?

Question

I can think of a few good reasons but I'm curious what people think has had the biggest impact. Feel free to add something else.

Emery and good goaltending.

Two years with Brian Murray.

Muckler has put his stamp on the team.

The big line playing for the team.

Maturing to a point where they know how to play in the playoffs.

7 great defencemen, healthy and playing well.

Answer 1

The top line is SICK. Best line in hockey and they cant be stopped.

Buffalo can put up their 3 best offensive players and it wont even come close to those 3.

Capt. Alffredson has been everything the Sens could have hoped for this post-season and with Spezza and Heatlys talent theyre unstoppable. They make fluid passes, they always know where the others are on the ice, all of them can finish, its the perfect combination.

Answer 2

5) Maturing to a point where they know how to play in the playoffs.

Experience in playoffs has been the key, and that many key parts of the team that are now experienced, also gained it together on this team. Them bowling over Pittsburgh in Round 1 was so predictable just based on experience. Pittsburgh being like the Sens were back in 2000/01. I thought experience would also play a factor when playing New Jersey in the second round when Jersey made their end of season coaching change.

I entered some playoff pools, and predicted they and Buffalo would make it the Eastern Final this year. At the time, I thought it would be close. I am now pleasantly surprised at their lead.

Just an opinion from the west coast. Go Sens Go!

Answer 3

I think it is because Alfredsson and Heatly have been scoring. Their specialty teams have been playing well. And Emery has been playing well in goal. The turning point of the game could have been when Emery made a big save on Pominville to keep the score at 2-0.

Answer 4

I think the biggest reason is that their previous teams had horrible goaltending (Lalime? Rhodes? Tugnutt?)

Now Emery is far better than last year and he is no all-star, but he's better than most. "Better than most" is a huge upgrade from what they had in Lalime. The Sens would have killed the Devils in 2003 and the Leafs in 2004 if they had Emery instead of Lalime.

They also have a tremendous top line AND scoring depth. And a lot of depth on defense. A style build for the new NHL. Playoff experience. A lot of rest from winning their series in five games. They have everything going for them.

Answer 5

Modelled their team after last year's Sabres? LOL. Model them after a team that lost in last year's semis? Yeah. OK.
To be fair, I think a healthy Hasek last year would have helped. Emery has matured.
It is like what they said at the beginning vs. Pittsburgh. They criticized their past play-off performances, but it was play-off experience nonetheless. Pittsburgh had none was the point but you see where I am coming from.
Also, earlier in the season, the back to back match-ups with the Sabres gave them some swagger and made them realize they are not so soft. They are carrying the momentum of that series to the present.

Answer 6

1) The team has learned how to play the patient, tight-checking game in the playoffs.

2) Emery has not allowed a soft goal that would break morale and momemtum.

3) Total team effort - no floaters allowed on the roster.

Answer 7

Cause no penalties get called on them and Buffalo couldn't pay someone to count their valid goals? Seriously, how many times can you screw one team like that? Just throwin that out there.

Answer 8

Emery+Spezza+Heatley+Alfredsson

Answer 9

Modelled their team after last year's Sabres.

Answer 10

The defense playing good and alfredsson playing awsome