Ottawa is crazy for its Senators.
The only problem is that fanatic support for a lost cause has become an annual pastime in Canada's capital.
After steamrolling their way through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the Sens are finally playing a team that is actually playing well. Ottawa polished off the inexperienced Pittsburgh Penguins, the tired and spent New Jersey Devils, and the self-destructing Buffalo Sabres in five games each. The fact that each of those teams did as much to themselves in those series as Ottawa did as an unstoppable juggernaut was overlooked as the Sens captured the NHL's Eastern Conference crown.
Anaheim's road has been tougher, and they are a team unlike the three powderpuffs the Senators have faced so far. They are bigger, stronger and just as fast as the Sens. They work harder and are more aggressive on the forecheck than anyone they've played so far. And they are a playoff experienced team, having been to the Finals in 2003, when their goaltender J.S. Giguere won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Speaking of goalies, Ottawa's Ray Emery should take a bow after two games. Even though he lost both decisions (through very little fault of his own) he has been, in my opinion, the best player on the ice.
As he attempts to become only the second Black goalie to backstop a Stanley Cup champion, the Black community is cheering him on. And as things stand, he is the only bright spot for a team that looks caught like a deer in headlights. Their weaknesses exposed for all the world to see, the Sens will need a miracle to come back and win this series and frankly I don't see that happening.
This year's Cup parade is going to be a hot one under California palms. I originally picked Anaheim in seven -- I'm now revising that estimate to five.
Go Ray Emery!
