The Sens had never played so well. There was the feeling that this was a breakout moment, a hint of greatness to come.

Of course the Sens haven't shown anything resembling postseason greatness since '03.

So I was unhappy to see the Sens play the Devils this year because they still, quite frankly, scare the fuck out of me.

Sure, Ottawa beat the Penguins like a government mule, and I was a little nervous about the much-hyped Pens before that series, but we're talking about the New Jersey Devils!

'07 was nothing like '03. The Devils are a little older, and their defence isn't as good. Brodeur gets a lot of flak for not stealing every game, but he gave the Devils a chance to win every night - not his fault they can't score. Some wisenheimer suggested putting Brodeur on the point during powerplays so he could chip in a goal or 2.

Today's Sens are less offensively talented then '03, but teamwork, toughness, and guts are vastly improved.

For me the icing on the cake was watching the Sens trap the Devils into the ground for the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period.

The trap is horrendously boring to watch, but It Just Works. Right, Devils?

I was hoping the Rangers could stay alive today to force a bruising and punishing game 7, preferably settled in triple overtime. Oh well.

The Sabres scare me, but I'm told that they haven't yet played to their potential this postseason.

The Senators are healthy, and they are playing to potential. I've never seen them play so well, so consistently, so hard.

Should be a helluva series.