As the final seconds ticked down in Game 7, and the rowdy MSG faithful roared around me, I didn't find it felt like previous playoff losses.

Right down to the final second, there was something special about this Ottawa Senators team.  Like they have done all season, they fought to the very end.  Unfortunately it wasn't quite enough and the Sens fell to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

After an unexpectedly long 12 hour bus trip down, I have arrived safely in the Big Apple.

Tonight, the Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers square off in Game 7 of their first round series at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  The two best words in all of sports, Game Seven, and on the league's biggest stage at MSG.

The term "must win" game gets tossed around a lot over the course of an NHL season.

Well tomorrow night, the Ottawa Senators face a true must win game at Madison Square Garden.  It's pretty simple for both teams, win or go home.  It's that "no tomorrow" element that makes Game Seven the two best words in the game of hockey.

(UPDATE 11:11 AM)- Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Congratulations Alfie! Well deserved! Joffrey Lupul and Max Pacioretty are the other two finalists.

There have been some electric crowds at Scotiabank Place over the years.

When the Senators clinched the playoffs for the first time with a win over the Sabres, when Igor Kravchuk drove the nail through the Devil’s heart and in 2007 when a Stanley Cup Game was played in Ottawa. I expect all those to be rivaled by the crowd that packs SBP tonight when the Senators play Game 6 of their series against the New York Rangers.
 

There have been some electric crowds at Scotiabank Place over the years.

When the Senators clinched the playoffs for the first time with a win over the Sabres, when Igor Kravchuk drove the nail through the Devil’s heart and in 2007 when a Stanley Cup Game was played in Ottawa.  I expect all those to be rivaled by the crowd that packs SBP tonight when the Senators play Game 6 of their series against the New York Rangers.

The Ottawa Senators have a chance to pull off something pretty special on Monday night at Scotiabank Place.

In a series where nobody gave them a chance and in a season where everyone has written them off, the Sens now return home to SBP with an opportunity to close out their series against the number one team in the Eastern Conference.

After a dramatic overtime win in Game 4, the Ottawa Senators attempt to grab the series lead tonight when they visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The Sens will once again be without their Captain, as Daniel Alfredsson will be sidelined for a third straight game. Alfie did not make the trip to New York with the rest of the team but did skate back in Ottawa and made progress, according to Coach MacLean.

Busy day at Sens practice this morning as both Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman took turns skating on a line with Turris and Foligno.

No decision on tomorrow's line up just yet but we do know that Stone will be making the trip to New York. Same can not be said for Daniel Alfredsson as he will stay behind in Ottawa.  Jesse Winchester is also expected to be sidelined for Game 5.

After closing out the Swedish Elite League finals with another goal and a game winner at that, it appears as though Sens prospect Jakob Silfverberg is on his way to join the Ottawa Senators.

According to tweets from Steve Lloyd, Silfverberg could be available to the Sens as early as Game 6, scheduled for Monday night.  While there is no guarantee he would actually draw into the Ottawa line up, you would have to think MacLean at least toys with the idea of adding some serious skill and finish to the team’s top six.