OTTAWA – After years of rebuilding the Ottawa Senators finally took a major step forward last season, advancing to the post-season for the first time in seven years.

Now the challenge shifts from proving they belong in the playoffs to showing they can be a contender in the Eastern Conference.

Last season Ottawa (45-30-7) finished fourth in the Atlantic Division to earn a first-round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. While they eventually lost the best-of-seven series in six games, the lessons from the experience proved invaluable.

For much of Ottawa’s young core, last spring was their first taste of playoff hockey, and it didn’t take long to realize the intensity was on a completely different level than the regular season.

And they want more of it.

“I just got addicted to that fee

See Full Page