Stanley Cup Playoffs: Things look bright for Senators future despite game seven loss

The Ottawa Senators came within a goal of pushing the New York Rangers into overtime in game seven of their Stanley Cup Playoff series, but it was not to be as the Senators fell 2-1 and their surprising season came to an abrupt end.

The Senators were loosy goosy early on, but goals by Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi forced them to open up offensively, and their fans to tense up for what was a wild final period.

In the end the Senators just didn’t have enough to break through the Rangers formidable defensive game, or their all-world goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist.

It was not for lack of trying as Ottawa threw everything they had at the Rangers over the final 10 minutes of the series pushing for the tying goal.

It seemed at times that the Rangers were playing with several goalies on the ice due to their ability to get into the shooting lanes and block the Senators shots before they even got to the net.

Ottawa was also unable to make New York pay on the powerplay, going an abysmal 4/26 with the man advantage, and over a seven game series that just is not good enough.

Craig Anderson was a rock in the Ottawa net, and very nearly stole the series away from his Swedish counterpart. It would seem that Ottawa is has finally found a solid number one netminder that is capable of carrying them at times, and always able to rise to the challenge and steal a game for his mates.

One question currently surrounding the club is the future of their captain, Daniel Alfredsson. Fans are hoping that the goal he ripped past Lundqvist in the second period was not the last one they will see him score.

The 16 year veteran said after the game that he was going to take some time and see how he feels.

After sustaining two concussions this past season Alfredsson’s health after his NHL career should be his number one priority despite the pleas of teammates, management, and fans for him to come back for one more year.

If he does decide to hang ’em up the team is good hands with the likes of Jason Spezza, and Erik Karlsson already in place, and some dynamite prospects ready to push for roster spots next season.

Regardless of how their season ended the Senators and their fans have got to feel good about the direction of the franchise going forward.