New York. The queue is getting tighter and tighter during the NHL’s Eastern Playoffs.
Last night the Ottawa Senators picked up their second straight win against Detroit in a single day, and suddenly they are also in the running.
“We have the chance now,” says Austin Watson, scorer of both goals, after the 6-1 win.
For a long time it looked as if it would be Pittsburgh, Washington, Florida and maybe the New Yorkers who would settle for the two wild card spots in the NHL’s eastern schedule – and they would be a sufficiently diverse group in this case.
But then Buffalo also took part in the rally. Then Detroit. And now, somewhat surprisingly, the Ottawa Senators are also embroiled in what appears to be a completely infernal pick-six.
After beating the Red Wings at home at the Canadien Tire Center in the last 24 hours — the score was 6-2 yesterday and 6-1 tonight — they stand just as Washington and Detroit have 64 points, five fewer than the Penguins in the last of those wild card-places. .
It’s amazing what leadership we have on this team. The boys didn’t give up, despite all the injuries and all the negativity surrounding our team, says Coach D.J. Smith.
– but it will be tougher in March. Our competitors have greatly upgraded their forces. So we have to play better in the future.
Still:
For the first time in almost the entire season, the playoffs became an imaginable reality.
Achieving the target is the target every year and now we have put ourselves in a good position by just a few points. We have the chance, says Austin Watson, author of both goals.
Florida only seems to be rolling to the bottom of the table, but last night they showed their true claws and won the derby away against Tampa by a score of 4-1.
– We were consistent, there wasn’t a player I didn’t like tonight, coach Paul Morris said.
Considering that Nashville was beginning to dismantle its team and with only hours left for the night’s tour, rock back Matthias Ekholm was three to Edmonton, Pittsburgh was strangely hard on their knees at Bridgestone Arena.
After two periods it was 0-0 – and at the beginning of the third period Mark Jankowski made it 1-0 for the home team.
Then, however, the Penguins managed to field the right gear and turned around and won 3-1.
This gives you room to breathe where your wild card game is.
– We work hard and get paid for it, notes Sidney Crosby after this third win in a row.
Ricard Raquel answered for help.
On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabers didn’t do what they were supposed to do on the night.
They lost ground in the race with an inexplicably 5-3 loss to a fire-taxed and sawed-off Columbus — at home.
– We were sloppy, we didn’t work hard enough, and we miss Rasmus Dahlen, coach Don Granato sighs.
Matthias Samuelsson was noted for an assist
In the Western Hornet’s Nest, Seattle pulled off a vital win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Lewis – thus rising to 3rd in the Pacific standings again, at least temporarily.
Adam Larsson assists.
In the real bottom of the night, Arizona managed a completely demoralizing Chicago after losing Patrick Kane 4-1.