The Ottawa Senators are ready for battle.
The odds are stacked against them as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a playoff series for the third time in four years.
The defending Stanley Cup champions aren't just going to roll over and die, but getting ready to open Round 1 of the playoffs at the Mellon Arena Wednesday, Ottawa players are confident they'll put up a good fight against the Penguins.
The Senators were 2-2-0 against Pittsburgh during the regular season. Those numbers mean nothing right now, but the prospect of facing the New Jersey Devils wasn't something Ottawa players wanted.
"I don't know if it's confidence, but this is a team we know pretty well," said Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson. "But, it's the same for both teams. They know us pretty well. It should be a good series.
"Right now, we've got a good feeling about our game. We know this is going to be a tough challenge, but we also know this is going to be a fun challenge for us as well."
Familiarity breeds contempt
Eliminated in four straight by the Penguins in the first round in 2008, the Senators aren't trying to play the revenge card. Those days have long since past. But, if familiarity breeds contempt, there will be plenty between Ottawa and Pittsburgh.
The Senators knocked off the Penguins in 2007 in five games on their way to the Stanley Cup final. This time, Ottawa is a much different team. Coach Cory Clouston is making his first playoff appearance. He swears he won't change his style.
"Pressure? Nervousness? Not necessarily," said Clouston. "We feel we're prepared. We know what we have to do. We know what we have to expect from Pittsburgh. We knew we were going to have go through them eventually. It just happens to be in the first round."
The Penguins have made back-to-back run to the finals. Last year, they were successful in Game 7 against the Red Wings. You have to laugh at the suggestion that Pittsburgh players are going to be tired this spring because of the long runs.
"I like our guys in terms of being playoff-tested and playoff-proven in terms of how we need to play," said Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma.
"We're going to be tested by the Senators, by a good team, and we're going to be under pressure. We need to get to our game against them playing their way as well. If we can ... that's the measure of a good team."
NOTES: The Senators won't be making any changes against the Penguins. Winger Alexei Kovalev (knee) is gone for the season while blueliner Filip Kuba is out with a back injury. There was some belief the Penguins might be without Matt Cooke after a hit from Evander Kane Saturday in Atlanta, but he appears to be fine. He took part in practice with D Brooks Orpik and LW Chris Kunitz. All three sat out the club's final game of the season against the New York Islanders. Bylsma said all three are game-time decisions ... The Penguins signed backup G Brent Johnson to a two-year, $1.2 million US contract extension on the eve of the post-season. Johnson, 33, will be under contract with Pittsburgh through 2012-13.
The odds are stacked against them as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a playoff series for the third time in four years.
The defending Stanley Cup champions aren't just going to roll over and die, but getting ready to open Round 1 of the playoffs at the Mellon Arena Wednesday, Ottawa players are confident they'll put up a good fight against the Penguins.
The Senators were 2-2-0 against Pittsburgh during the regular season. Those numbers mean nothing right now, but the prospect of facing the New Jersey Devils wasn't something Ottawa players wanted.
"I don't know if it's confidence, but this is a team we know pretty well," said Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson. "But, it's the same for both teams. They know us pretty well. It should be a good series.
"Right now, we've got a good feeling about our game. We know this is going to be a tough challenge, but we also know this is going to be a fun challenge for us as well."
Familiarity breeds contempt
Eliminated in four straight by the Penguins in the first round in 2008, the Senators aren't trying to play the revenge card. Those days have long since past. But, if familiarity breeds contempt, there will be plenty between Ottawa and Pittsburgh.
The Senators knocked off the Penguins in 2007 in five games on their way to the Stanley Cup final. This time, Ottawa is a much different team. Coach Cory Clouston is making his first playoff appearance. He swears he won't change his style.
"Pressure? Nervousness? Not necessarily," said Clouston. "We feel we're prepared. We know what we have to do. We know what we have to expect from Pittsburgh. We knew we were going to have go through them eventually. It just happens to be in the first round."
The Penguins have made back-to-back run to the finals. Last year, they were successful in Game 7 against the Red Wings. You have to laugh at the suggestion that Pittsburgh players are going to be tired this spring because of the long runs.
"I like our guys in terms of being playoff-tested and playoff-proven in terms of how we need to play," said Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma.
"We're going to be tested by the Senators, by a good team, and we're going to be under pressure. We need to get to our game against them playing their way as well. If we can ... that's the measure of a good team."
NOTES: The Senators won't be making any changes against the Penguins. Winger Alexei Kovalev (knee) is gone for the season while blueliner Filip Kuba is out with a back injury. There was some belief the Penguins might be without Matt Cooke after a hit from Evander Kane Saturday in Atlanta, but he appears to be fine. He took part in practice with D Brooks Orpik and LW Chris Kunitz. All three sat out the club's final game of the season against the New York Islanders. Bylsma said all three are game-time decisions ... The Penguins signed backup G Brent Johnson to a two-year, $1.2 million US contract extension on the eve of the post-season. Johnson, 33, will be under contract with Pittsburgh through 2012-13.
