The Senators have top-end talent at every forward position, headlined by wingers Matt Puempel and Stefan Noesen, and center Mika Zibanejad. The organization possesses one of the best one-two punches on defense in physical stalwart Jared Cowen and puck-mover David Rundlad. There are also a deep group of players who can fill a variety of roles and provide depth at the NHL level including Stephane Da Costa, Jim O'Brien, and Bobby Butler.

Three key figures in Senators' history should have their numbers retired when done. Daniel Alfredsson is a complete no-brainer, and Murray is on record saying the captain will not be moved. Jacques Martin is another. Martin didn't have the desired playoff success, but there is no doubt he was reason number one for the organization's turnaround. Of course, he doesn't have a number, so maybe they can retire a can of Brylcreem.

The third is Phillips. You may snicker, but he is totally deserving. Taken first overall in 1996, his decision to go to Ottawa without complaint was a major boost for a team that had to trade Bryan Berard (the top selection a year earlier) because Berard wanted nothing to do with them. All Phillips has done since then is play 1,022 games (including playoffs) and do an incredible amount of work in the community. Not as large an impact as Alfredsson or Martin, but when you remember what a complete mistake Ottawa looked like in 1996, Phillips' role in the turnaround is very significant.

Huge win for Bingo!

Guess Garrioch will have to manufacture a new controversy to while the summer away.

Here’s a few suggestions
- Kovy is actually a Russian spy sent to Canada’s capital to infiltrate CSIS
- Alfie fathers illegitimate triplets. Already have enough hockey sense not to make blind drop passes
- Chris Campoli demands a trade to Metallurg Novokuznetsk
- Sergei Gonchar already in Clouston's dog house after voicing his dislike for the colour salmon
- Nick Foligno busted for indecent exposure at local grocery store
- Mike Fisher pulls a Tony Romo and trades up to Jessica Simpson. Discovers the headlights of his truck smashed and tires slashed, Louisville Slugger found at scene of the crime

We played with fire, and got burned. Karma's a bitch.

The Leafs can't even do "No Habs No" properly.

Cullen to Ottawa for Picard and a 2nd. Done.

Alfie Scripture: When Daniel Alfredsson goes to give blood, he declines the syringe and simply requests a handgun and a bucket.

- "Dany Heatley had several chances on the power play, but couldn’t put one past Pogge. My initial reaction is a slight disappointment in his compete level and he seems to be standing around a lot waiting for the puck to come to him. However, he does have a cannon and Thornton was looking to tee him up all night"

Get used to it

"I think he just comes to play hard every night. The comment he made to me was that he's gone from playing six to eight minutes a game to feeling like he's a hockey player again. ... It's nice to see a guy going from Ottawa to here, where there's no playoffs in sight, to come in with the attitude he's had."