The Senators hope that history won't repeat itself.
The first place Ottawa Senators hope that history won't dare make a repeat...
In the past couple of season the Senators have had strong teams but have failed to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
They were close in 2002-2003 when they were defeated by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Final.the Devils would go on to win the Stanley Cup.
However it has not been the Devils that have hurt the Senators in the playoffs, it has been their arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs that have caused them problems.In the the last season of the ''Old NHL'', the Leafs upset the Senators in round 1, beating the Senators 4-3.This recent loss changed the face of the franchise.
John Muckler then dealt prized goaltender Patrick Lalime to the Saint-Louis Blues and fired head-coach Jacques Martin. In light of the new NHL, the Thrashers took Marian Hossa off Muckler's hand, dealing Dany Heatley to the Senators for star forward Marian Hossa and d- man Greg de Vries.
A hugely succesful 2006 campaign is credited by new head coach Brian Murray, goalie Dominik Hasek's return and the emergance of up-and coming star Jason Spezza.
Tyler Arnason, added to the mix at the deadline , has been a late-season surprise.
The 2006 offseason will be full of interesting headlines. Big defenseman Zdeno Chara and stellar defenseman Wade Redden will be unrestricted free-agents.
The Wilkernator.
