No one has to give the Ottawa Senators a history lesson when it comes to their participation in the Stanley Cup final.
Ottawa players are fully aware of what a championship would mean to the city as the team travels to California to face the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 Monday night (CBC, 8 p.m. ET).
Ottawa centre Jason Spezza ranks second among all playoff scorers with 20 points.
(Chris Carlson/Associated Press)
While the original Senators last won the Stanley Cup in 1927, the newer version of the team has a chance to lay claim to a championship for the first time since its rebirth in 1992.
The Senators will also attempt to become the first Canadian team to win hockey's biggest prize since the Montreal Canadiens defeated Wayne Gretzky's L.A. Kings 14 years ago.
Two other Canadian franchises advanced to the final on the last two occasions, only to come up empty in their respective seven-game series. The Calgary Flames fell to Tampa Bay in 2004, while the upstart Edmonton Oilers lost to Carolina during last year's Cup battle.
"We're hockey historians also," Senators centre Jason Spezza said. "Having the opportunity to bring a Cup back to Canada and become Canada's team is definitely another driving reason for us to try to win."
Ottawa, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, have thrived in most aspects of the post-season, especially when performing on the road.
The Senators boast a league-best 7-1 record away from Scotiabank Place, including road elimination wins in New Jersey and Buffalo during the last two series.
Top line on fire
Ottawa is also riding the wave of the most productive line in the playoffs. Captain Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Spezza have scorched the competition with a combined total of 58 points.
Heatley leads the post-season with 21 points and Alfredsson tops all playoff goal scorers with 10.
"They're the hottest line in the playoffs," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "They lead their team in all the offensive categories, plus people have described Alfredsson as probably the best player in the playoffs.
"For us, it will be about trying to take away time and space."
Both teams will be well rested once the final commences on Monday. By the time the pucks drops, the Senators will have eight days off compared to five for Anaheim.
Course of strategy
However, the clubs can only go on advanced scouting and video study in determining their best course of strategy. Ottawa and Anaheim last met on Jan. 19, 2006, with the Ducks prevailing 4-3 in a shootout.
"I haven't seen them much [of the Ducks], a period here and there during the playoffs," Alfredsson said. "I think it will be the most physical series so far. They're a bigger team and they have some skilled guys as well."
Anaheim has been led by the solid play of goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguère. Since being pulled in Game 3 of the Western Conference final against Detroit, Giguère has stopped 98 of 106 shots during the final three contests, sending the Red Wings home with another playoff disappointment.
The Ducks also have 14-year veteran Teemu Selanne peaking at the right time. After failing to register a point in eight of his first 13 playoff games, Selanne netted two goals and six points in the last three contests to help eliminate Detroit.
For his part, Giguère would love to see the Finnish Flash earn his first Stanley Cup after several years of frustration.
"Teemu's been in this league [a long time] and he's never had a chance to play for the Cup," Giguère said. "We couldn't have any better teammate. He deserves this. I'd just love to see Teemu win this thing."
