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By the looks of tonight's game, one wouldn't have a tough time distinguishing which of the two teams at Scotiabank Place tonight was headed to the playoffs. The Ottawa Senators, young and talented, dominated the play all across the ice, and the Philadelphia Flyers mailed in another half-assed effort.
The problem, of course, is that the Senators are the one's that are playing for nothing, eliminated from contention weeks ago. On the flip side, the Flyers are still playing for pivotal points, frantically chasing down the Washington Capitals in the quest for the #1 overall seed.
Now, this isn't me piling on the Flyers - it was just one year ago that I picked Philadelphia to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals before the playoffs started. I loved their toughness, their tenacity on the forecheck, and their unwillingness to ease up. They converted on seemingly every scoring opportunity, and while they didn't come into the playoffs with a scorching hot streak, their first round draw was perfect - an overrated New Jersey Devils team that, when(not if) beaten, would provide the Flyers the right level of confidence and swagger heading into the second round and beyond.
Fast forward a year later, and you can pretty much change every qualifying sentence above. Without Chris Pronger, this team simply doesn't have the edge, care, or mentality to compete at the highest level, and while some will say that's just hyperbole and that a bounce-back is imminent, I suggest you watch a game. Then, consider their future first-round opponents: The New York Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist, the Buffalo Sabres and Ryan Miller, or the Montreal Canadiens and Carey Price. Good luck.
The mail-job wouldn't have mattered if Ottawa didn't capitalize on their opportunities. But, in typical post-trade deadline fashion, the Senators looked like a playoff team, riding a red-hot goaltender in Craig Anderson and watching Jason Spezza do pretty much whatever the hell he wanted for sixty minutes. He finished with a goal and three helpers, keeping his heater as the season winds down very much alive. For all of the flak Spezza's caught over the years, I haven't heard much - if any - negativity regarding his play.
Spezza wasn't the only Senators chipping in on offense, though. Youngsters Bobby Butler and Nick Foligno each had one, as well as Milan Michalek and Ryan Shannon. Combined, the team managed to launch 35 shots in the direction of Sergei Bobrovsky, many of which were of the high quality kind.
In a race for the lottery, it's really the worst result imaginable, but as a fan, you have to look at the big picture. Missing on Landeskog in favor of Couturier, Strome, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins(should he fall) is a marginal drop-off at best, and considering how well this team has played of late, I'd imagine that no fan in the world would trade Craig Anderson and this improved Senators roster for a complete dud of a team and the chance at a #2 pick. In short: Yes, this team will draft lower than originally anticipated, but it's for the better. This team's finally found some chemistry and swagger in their game, and you're kidding yourself if you don't think it won't carry over to next season.
As for the Flyers - well, better hope that the return of one hulking Chris Pronger rejuvenates this lifeless team. The energy, heart, and hustle of the 2009-2010 Flyers has all but dissipated into thin air, and we're not left with a team that's really not sure of itself. It's an absolute certainty that they'll face an elite goalie in Round One regardless of the opponent, so they better find their game in a hurry.
It wasn't one singularly bad effort, either. Claude Giroux was horrifying in the face-off circle. Andreas Nodl, Ville Leino, Dan Carcillo, and James van Riemsdyk combined for two shots on net in almost 50 minutes of ice time. Realistically, only Mike Richards made an appearance, potting the two scores for Philadelphia on the night.
Time to wake up!
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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