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Last night was a huge character win for the Ottawa Senators as they won a big road game at Boston, knocking off the Bruins 3-2. The Senators won both games on this two game road trip, but to see them do it against a playoff-bound team definitely holds more water than beating the Detroit Red Wings, three times in twelve days. Prior to the win over Boston, in the Sens last seven wins, they came over teams that weren't occupying a playoff spot - SEA/PHI/WIN/MTL and Detroit x 3 wins. If they can defeat Toronto on Saturday, then this team is hopefully starting to take the proper steps in making some noise next season when it comes to challenging for a playoff spot. This fanbase has seen fools gold far too much the last few seasons with Ottawa winning games to end the season when there was no pressure on this roster to win games. It's a different animal when you have expectations and are expected to contend for a playoff spot. Ottawa is currently thirty points out of a playoff spot, that is a massive gap to have to close, so this off-season is huge in determining if this team can take the next step in their development.

The Sens PK was outstanding last night, killing off all 5 Boston powerplays. Ottawa went 2 for 6 on the powerplay and it definitely was a momentum changer when the Sens scored two quick PP goals in the second period. When you couple great goaltending by Anton Forsberg, he stopped 40 of 42 shots and was huge at key moments in the third period, this is the type of team effort Ottawa needed to show this fanbase they are capable of taking that next step, next season. This game could've gotten out of hand had Connor Brown finished one of his endless breakaway opportunities or if Alex Formenton could put the puck in the net more often on the odd man rushes with Brown. This is something that has haunted this team all year when it comes to creating shorthanded chances but never finishing.

Tim Stutzle's game is going to another level! He was the best player on the ice last night and was noticeable every time he was on the ice. He hit the 50 point mark and the sky is the limit for him, he has future superstar potential and it will be interesting to see if he can take his off-season training to another level this summer.

Can Josh Norris hit 35 goals or can Brady Tkachuk hit 30 goals this year? It was nice to see Brady hit a career high with 58 points as he continues to lead this team in every aspect, both on and off the ice.

With Toronto in town tomorrow night, at times this year, the Leafs have played down to their competition. Sens fans, do you think Ottawa plays up to their level of their competition and pulls out a second straight win against a playoff bound team in their division?

Ottawa hits the road for a tough three game road trip after the Leaf's game. With games in Seattle and Vancouver on back to back nights, then a stop in Columbus, before returning for a 3 game homestand, it will be interesting to see how the Sens respond. Sens fan, what is acceptable for you on the upcoming roadie? Three points out of a possible six?

Off the ice, as many Sens fans and hockey fans in general, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the article that was finally released by Ian Mendes, Dan Robson, and Katie Strang regarding Eugene Melnyk. Fans in the Ottawa market were very loud on social media yesterday, regarding the information that these three very respected journalists released.

What I found extremely odd was that TSN1200 didn't make one mention of this story on air yesterday after it was released. I expected this story to dominate the mid morning or drive home shows, but instead it was radio silence! This was the same radio station that had days worth of coverage when Erik Karlsson's wife and Mike Hoffman's girlfriend were filling lawsuits against each other, yet not a single word was mentioned about the article written by one of their former colleagues, Ian Mendes. What will be more telling is if Mendes speaks about the article on his daily Tuesday radio hit on the drive home show, next week.

If any of you don't have access to The Athletic, feel free to IM me on hockeybuzz or Twitter and I would be happy to send you the key points shared in this great article.

Comments, thoughts on last night's game and tomorrow's game. Comments about the Sens article in The Athletic from yesterday. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

Thanks for reading.
Kevin

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