Hey Hey Hey Goodbye!!

Well, after an astonishing 15-2 start to the 2007-2008 season who would have thought the Ottawa Senators would bow out four straight in the first round. They didn't even put up a fight in the first round either. Everyone looked lost out there. The Pittsburgh Penguins jumped on the Sens early and never looked back. Remember at the beginning of the season when everyone was saying the Sens are for real this year, check again! An abundance of locker room problems, terrible defence, inconsistent play and injuries took over the Senators season and smashed it into the ground.
I would just like to know where the top players were for Ottawa in the playoffs? Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley combined for a brutual two assists and a minus nine rating. Daniel Alfredsson was no where to be found either. With all do respect to Daniel Alfredsson even though he didn't play the way he can, he was injured and still tried to play through it. I give respect to a guy like that even if I don't like him as a hockey player. At least he was trying, it seemed like Heatley and Spezza were merely going through the motions. Somebody should have tapped them on the shoulders and reminded them this is the playoffs! In the playoffs your best players need to be your players and the Penguins certainly had that going for them. Penguins' stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for 15 points in the four game series. Crosby currently leads the league in playoffs points as well. Pittsburgh took control of the series right from the start and I believe this team to be a serious cup contender. They have the speed, goal scoring, goaltending, defence and grit a team needs to be a champion. Although their defence had been speculated at the start of this series they are all playing like veterans back there.
In game three on Hockey Night in Canada they showed a picture on the wall in the Senators arena that was located right across from the Penguins dressing room. This picture was of the Senators and Penguins shaking hands after the Sens beat them out last spring. This was the last thing the Pens would see before going on the ice. Why would a team put a picture like that on the wall RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE PENGUINS DRESSING ROOM! For me that would be even more motivation to want to beat them, and apparently it did. Also, that shows no class, like what was the point of that? Were they trying to get them off their game by remembering the past? Big deal they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup finalists, it's a new year and a new team. Pittsburgh certainly played with that motivation I don't know what Ottawa was playing with because it certainly didn't look like much. Maybe you'll bring a better game to the golf course boys because that's all you'll be playing!!
I hope to see Sidney Crosby and company make a trip to the finals because I believe this team has a legitimate shot at the Cup! They are playing fabulous hockey and are one of the most exciting teams to watch!! They will now play the winner of either the Philadelphia/ Washinton series or the New York/ New Jersey series.

What went wrong in Ottawa? Take a look!