Sens @ Rangers - Game #6 Preview
by Craig Medaglia @craigmedaglia / Ottawa Senators
The Sens look to close out their second round series against the New York Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden.
There's been nothing confirmed on the line-up front yet and Sens head coach Guy Boucher isn't scheduled to speak with the media until 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. One thing we do know is that Mark Borowiecki, who participated in the team's optional skate yesterday, isn't quite ready to return to active duty yet.
The coach did speak about momentum yesterday with the media in New York and dismissed any notion that his team's Game #5 win will impact tonight's game.
"There's nothing that carries over from one game to another," Boucher shared during his post-practice availability from Madison Square Garden. "You start back at zero everytime and we have to have that mentality or else we're still stuck on the game that we won and we're not there anymore."
Boucher also took some time to discuss the on-going growth of his team and credits their relationships both on and off the ice as the source of their resiliency this season.
"Our guys have displayed a lot of character and they've developed a 'team soul'," Boucher continued. "There's a collectiveness to this group that really displays a growing bond throughout the entire year."
Video: May 8: Practice Media - Guy Boucher
The Sens will face a stiff test tonight as they look for their first win on the road in this series against a desparate Rangers club who are looking to force a Game 7 on Thursday. While Ottawa has struggled at MSG this post-season, the Rangers have historically been very good there in elimination games according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com...
Previous game
After dropping a pair of decisions on the road in Games #3 and #4, the Sens were looking to bounce back on Saturday night in front of their home crowd and boy did they. Game #5 was truly a case of "it's not how you start but how you finish" for the Senators as they rallied back on several occasions including a Derick Brassard goal with just 1:26 remaining to send the game into overtime. Kyle Turris took it from there, following up a blocked shot with a great individual effort to beat Henrik Lundqvist and give the Sens a 3-2 series lead.
The highlights are below so feel free to enjoy them again today as we work towards tonight's 7:30 p.m. start time...
Video: Turris lifts Sens to 5-4 OT win in Game 5
Sens to watch
The captain dished out a trio of assists in Game #5 to bring his post-season total to 11 points (1G + 10A) in 11 games which establishes a new Senators franchise record for assists and points in a playoff year by a defenceman. Karlsson surpassed Wade Redden's playoff totals who has twice recorded 10 points (2005-06 and 2006-07) and 8 assists (2002-03 and 2005-06) for the Senators.
Broadcast
Catch all the action on CBC and TVAS tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. and if you are looking for a great spot to watch the game with other rabid Sens fans check out our list of official Sens Army Headquarters for the playoffs here.