Schedule and Positioning all in Ottawa’s Favour

The shoe’s definitely on the other foot this time around and it’s a more-than-comfortable fit.

As the team prepares to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators are swimming in uncharted waters . . . well, uncharted for them, certainly.

This kind of unfamiliarity though suits their fancy.

The Senators find themselves sitting in a playoff position in the month of March. The last time that was happening was – oh – about eight years ago.

Not only is Ottawa firmly positioned – three points up on the New York Rangers (with a game in hand) and now five full points ahead of Detroit and Montreal – the team’s strength of schedule is pretty optimistic as well.

With 19 games remaining in the regular season, the Senators are facing this:

• Two games versus Buffalo. That’s the bottom-of-the-barrel Sabres we’re talking about;

• Eleven of the 19 are at home;

• They get the Flyers twice, Chicago and Pittsburgh once and Montreal two times. All four are non-playoff bound;

• One more match-up with the Leafs. Ottawa’s owned Toronto the past couple of years (for some reason);

• Three (count ‘em three) encounters with Columbus. The Blue Jackets are hanging on to the final post-season placemat and any degree of success (the Jackets are a point behind Ottawa) there seals the Senators’ positioning as the first wild-card seed.

And with that – this:

If Ottawa hangs on to its post, what would be the set-up for its first playoff showing in eight years?

(We should also mention here that, no, the Senators have zero hope of moving up in the Atlantic Division. Florida, Toronto and now Tampa Bay are simply far too far ahead with this tinkling of a schedule ahead).

The Senators are looking at either Florida or Toronto, with an outside shot at Tampa, if they bring that first wild-card post to harvest.

The Leafs might be the best option there. The Panthers and Bolts both improved immensely at the trade deadline last week.

Again, and though it’s only the regular season, the Senators have had Toronto’s number recently.

Finishing with the last wild-card spot, Ottawa would be playing Washington. The Caps are one of this season’s major surprises and lead the Eastern Conference by a whopping nine points over the Panthers. They aren’t going to be caught. Period.

Still, given your choice, do you pick an upstart like Washington over, say, the Cup champs who just acquired Seth Jones and Brad Marchand? Thought so.

Travis Green’s team is on a heater at the right time.

Linus Ullmark’s finally playing up to his price-point, at just the right time, and the early rating on that Josh Norris for Dylan Cozens deal is a high one.

Safe to say after seven consecutive years of disappointment, any place, as long as you’re in, counts as a win in Eastern Ontario.

Enjoy your ride.

TORONTO: WHAT’S CAUSIN’ ALL THIS?

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

I guess if you’re a fan of Toronto, this all could work out pretty well. Or not.

The Leafs’ natural tendency to behave in a certain way – particularly lately – has head-scratchers down the 401 scratching their heads.

Big time.

Win a string of games; lose a string of games.

The Leafs are nothing if not erratic.

Let’s start in early February where the team went a blistering 8-1 for the full month (adding in the first March result). Next month? Three straight losses, two of the blowout variety to Colorado then Vegas.

Monday night could have made it four, easily, but Mitchell Marner scored in the shootout as the Buds topped Utah.

This wasn’t pretty. Toronto led 3-zip and let the Hockey Club (outstanding name. Creative) before letting the contest slip.

As for factors, consider this one – Toronto faces 16 sets of back-to-back games this season.

Brutal.

Washington’s blessed to go through the ordeal just eight times all year.

Yes, fatigue has to be considered. The schedule-makers have also planted this long western road trip as teams gear up and hopefully heal up prior to the post-season.

Difficult to navigate.

But Toronto’s fluctuant record, especially lately, conjures other reasoning.

One, the goaltending has not been up to its usual snuff. Both Anthony Stolarz and (circling this guy) Joseph Woll have struggled.

Secondly, the Leafs tripped over their own feet when the news leaked that Marner reportedly was asked whether he would consider waiving a no-movement clause. Carolina had asked for Marner to be included in a trade for power-forward Mikko Rantanen.

To his credit, Marner shut it all out and has been Toronto’s bestie since the deadline.

Still, it’s never quiet in Hogtown.

The lengthy injury to stalwart Chris Tanev hasn’t helped either. Newbies Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton are adjusting to new climes as well.

Toronto would like to get it all straightened away in short order. Florida’s latest win streak has the Cats two points up in the division and both clubs have 18 games remaining.

OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:

Tuesday, March 11: Ottawa at Philadelphia (7 pm)

Thursday, March 13: Boston at Ottawa (7 pm)

Saturday, March 15: Ottawa at Toronto (7 pm)

Tuesday, March 18: Ottawa at Montreal (7 pm)

thegrossgame@yahoo.com

Photo: Courtesy Globe and Mail