Feb 18, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates with left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Since making a trip to the semifinals in 2017, the Sens have missed the playoffs in four straight seasons. While one could argue this proves that making the third round alone does not indicate future success, I prefer to ignore that lesson in favour of today’s post.
Today, let’s look at the four teams left in this year’s playoffs and try to figure out what lessons the Sens, and by extension the whole league, could take away from them and what it means for the near and distant future.