OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators had everything they needed — except a goal and a win.
Ottawa’s playoff run and season came to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night, the first time the Senators had been shut out all season.
"We had scrums, we had everything we wanted, everything but a goal," said Ottawa forward Clarke MacArthur. "We had four, five guys in the crease a few times you know. It just sucks."
Down 3-0 in the series the Senators came back and won two games, but were unable to force Game 7.
For the first time in the series the Canadiens scored first and while the Senators had a number of chances and threw 43 shots at Carey Price they were unable to score the equalizer. It didn’t help that the power play was 0 for 4 on the night.
Ottawa pushed hard in the final minute and came close a number of times, but just couldn’t complete the comeback one more time.
"It’s very disappointing knowing that we’re not coming to the rink to see each other (Monday)," said Mark Stone. "It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It still feels like there’s another day tomorrow, but we’re definitely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish."
Jean-Gabriel Pageau appeared to tie the game with a goal in the second, but a quick whistle waived it off.
"With a little bit of puck luck and a different kind of whistle we probably would have had a different kind of game, but that’s how it is sometimes," said Senators captain Erik Karlsson. "It’s not something we’re going to worry about. Price played a pretty solid game and that’s what you’re going to get when you’re up against that kind of goaltender."
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While the Senators were disappointed and a little frustrated by the call, they refused to blame the loss on the incident.
"It happens every once in a while and there’s nothing you can do about it," said Craig Anderson, who made 19 saves. "That’s what happened and we had plenty of time. There was still a period and a half at least to go get one, but we just weren’t able to get it."
While the loss will sting for a while, no one can take away the impressive run that allowed the Senators to reach the postseason.
Ottawa went 23-4-4 down the stretch and became the first team in NHL history to qualify for the playoffs after sitting 14 points back.
"It was special," said Kyle Turris. "So many things happened and so many guys stepped up. It was a real special run and we won’t forget and we’ll learn from ultimately going forward."
Senators coach Dave Cameron was disappointed not to be able to move forward, but had nothing but praise for the way his team played down the stretch.
"We’ll get over the disappointment of it ending, beat by a real good hockey club, and I think when we get over that and look back we’ll feel pretty good about what we’ve accomplished here," said Cameron. "From a coaching point of view it’s always easier to get over it…but I think after the disappointment (of losing) is digested it’s always a lot easier as a coach when your team has emptied its tank and that team emptied its tank for me for three months."
Notes: Both Marc Methot and Clarke MacArthur were dealing with hip flexor injuries through the series and Mark Stone said the pain in his wrist on off-days was difficult to deal with.
