Primer: Montreal isn't flashy, but it has found a way to get the job done with well-rounded scoring and outstanding goaltending. The Cinderella Senators have been writing their own story, riding a 21-3-3 run to sneak into the postseason as the NHL's hottest team that everyone is rooting for.
PLAYOFF PREVIEWS: DET | TB | CHI | WSH
Schedule/TV (All times ET; * — if necessary)
April 15: Canadiens 4, Senators 3
April 17, Canadiens 3, Senators 2 OT
April 19, Canadiens 2, Senators 1 OT
April 22, Senators 1, Canadiens 0
April 24, at Montreal, 7 p.m. TV: CBC, CNBC, TVA Sports
*April 26, at Ottawa, TBD
*April 28, at Montreal, TBD
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Season series: 3-1 Senators.
Injuries: A head injury to top point-getter Max Pacioretty has put his status in doubt, though he resumed skating with the team on Saturday and likely won't miss a ton of time. Injuries to blueliners Jarred Tinordi (upper-body), Davis Drewiske (wrist) and Tom Gilbert (upper-body) could threaten Montreal's defensive depth.
Though the Sens should have tough guy Chris Neil (thumb) back for Game 1, they'll be without scoring forwards Milan Michalek (concussion) and Matt Puempel (high-ankle sprain) for the foreseeable future. Veteran defenseman Chris Phillips also has been out since February.
Key players: This should be an entertaining battle between two of the NHL's premier puck-pushing defensemen in Ottawa's Erik Karlsson and Montreal's P.K. Subban, both of whom possess the offensive ability to take over a series. Elsewhere, unexpected rookie contributors Mark Stone (64 points) and Mike Hoffman (48) finished second and fifth, respectively, in Senators team scoring. The young forwards will need to continue to put pucks in the net for the Sens to pull off the upset.
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Goalie matchup: Carey Price (44-16-6, 1.96 goals-against average .933 save percentage) is the NHL's best goaltender and has carried the Canadiens on his back for much of the season. For the Senators, 27-year-old rookie Andrew Hammond (20-1-2 ,1.79, .941) — 24 games removed from a pre-call up 3.51/.898 line with AHL Binghamton — will look to continue his incredible rise and lead Ottawa into the next round.
Prediction: Senators in 7.