Senators Remain an Enigma Heading Into Playoffs

And so ends the great end-of-season resurgence of the Ottawa Senators.

The Sens dropped a 4-1 decision to the New York Islanders Saturday, ending a six-game winning streak that, with a bit more endurance and a little luck, could have provided momentum into the playoffs. Wah-wah.

What can we say about this team? In the first half of March, they stumbled through a brutal eight-game losing streak, inspiring doubts they would even make it to the post-season. Then they bounced back with six straight wins, including an overtime victory over Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals, and Thursday's 5-4 edging of the Carolina Hurricanes, which clinched them a playoff berth.The ups and downs have become the norm for this bunch of very talented but somewhat unfortunate hockey players.

After reaching the playoffs for 11 straight years but never hoisting the Cup, the Senators missed the playoffs last year following a string of personnel changes and other distractions. The year before, the team had been racked by controversy (remember Ray Emery?) and untimely injuries.

So the Senators started this season with something to prove. Their coach Cory Clouston had taken the reigns mid-season last year and finished with a record of 19-10-3, so the team had some momentum going for them. So far though, they've been unpredictable, easily handling some of the top teams in the NHL only to drop sure bets to bottom feeders like the Toronto Maple Leafs. Saturday's uninspired performance against the Isles felt like more of the same.

If Ottawa expects to make a run for Lord Stanley this season, they'll need more consistency, and they'll need more of whatever fueled their brief resurgence in these past weeks. If anything, the upswing reminded us that the Senators boast some of the league's most talented play-makers. Before Saturday's let-down, Daniel Alfredsson had 14 points in nine games, Jason Spezza had 11 points in his last four games, Peter Regin had seven points over in his last six, and Erik Karlsson had eight points in four games.

If I were Clouston, I'd keep Alfredsson, Regin and Karlsson matched up even when Milan Michalek returns from injury - the trio has room to grow. Ottawa plays Game 2 of a three-game homestand against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.