Thank you, Calgary Flames, from the Ottawa Senators.
While the Flames could have done the Senators an even bigger favor by beating the Bruins in regulation instead of a shootout, the fact is that the Bruins dropping a point now means that the Senators, and we haven't been able to say this in a while, control their own destiny when it comes to whether or not they make the playoffs.
If you were to look at the standings on NHL.com this morning, you will see this:
Yes, the Senators still trail the Bruins by 5 points for the last Wild Card spot, but they have a game in hand and play the Bruins twice in their last 20 games. That is 6 points, and while it is far from a sure thing, if the Senators don't make the playoffs they can not blame anyone but themselves, because taking care of their own business will be enough to pass the Bruins. Obviously they aren't going to run the table, but neither is any team they are chasing, and their fate is no longer left up to how some other team plays and IF the Senators can get some help along the way.
Beating the Bruins in both head to head matchups will be vital, but before the first one of those happens on Tuesday, the Senators have a couple of matchups, beginning tonight as they return home to face the Sabres.
While this might be looked at as a trap game because it is a) the first game home off a long road trip; b) against the worst team in the NHL who has nothing to play (well) for; and c) the ultra-important game with the B's a mere 4 days away.
The Senators must play game by game and not look past any opponent, even the lowly Sabres. Buffalo continued its quest for McDavid by dealing Michal Neuvirth to the Islanders for backup Chad Johnson, who will complete the rare New York based trifecta when he makes his debut in the Sabres net against the Senators. Having already played for the Rangers and the Islanders, Johnson will become just the 5th player to play for all 3 teams.
Buffalo "leads" the Oilers by 3 points in the race for last and a guarantee of getting either McDavid or the very good consolation prize in Jack Eichel. Timmy Murray has done his best to ensure that positioning, jettisoning Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Torrey Mitchell, Brian Flynn, Chris Stewart and Jhonas Enroth in addition to Neuvirth in the last month.
The Senators will likely give Andrew Hammond the opportunity to continue his sensational run of 7 straight starts (going 6-0-1) and expect a huge (perhaps even Alfie-like) ovation for him when his name is announced as the starting goalie should he indeed get the call.
A question mark as to whether Mike Hoffman will be able to go, after getting his face smashed/bell rung in the 'Peg. He tried to come back but played just 1 shift lasting 35 seconds following the hit. His absence would be a big loss, on the top line, but the way things are going for the Senators Erik Condra can slide in that spot on a short-term basis and although might not score like Hoffman, at least won't hurt the team defensively. It will mean Mark Stone, Kyle Turris and Milan Michalek, who have been playing well as a unit will have to pick up even more of the slack.
Hopefully that is a moot point and Hoffman can indeed play with no ill effects.