Written by Graeme Nichols | 21 March 2009

"How do you like them apples?" ~ Matt Damon, Goodwill Hunting

For a team that was written off weeks ago, tonight's game was supposed to be a game that would have helped the loser's cause in the John Tavares sweepstakes. It's weird what a couple of weeks can do. The Senators are currently mired in a do-or-die streak in which one loss will ultimately decide the fate of their season.

Cue the Islanders - Statistically, the worst team in the NHL this season.

The timing for this matchup couldn't be any better. Ottawa needs the wins and the Isles need the losses. So what's the problem?

The Ottawa Senators are renowned for their tendency to play down to the level of their competition.

It's an understatement to say that they have had trouble shedding this reputation. (Think Rosie O'Donnell trying to shed her image as an obnoxious, loudmouth lesbian.)

Thankfully, Isles Coach, Scott Gordon has recognized the importance of a loss tonight and has gone out of his way to provide the Senators with some bulletin board material.

Islanders coach Scott Gordon is crediting a Feb. 20 trade with the Senators as part of the reason why his team has played better of late.

Not so much the addition of Dean McAmmond, but the departure of Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie.

"You know we had a couple of bad apples, too, that we got rid of," Gordon was recently quoted as saying in Newsday by Mark Herrmann. "As a result of that, the chemistry in the locker room is what you would expect from a team that pulls together." ~ Courtesy Don Brennan, The Ottawa Sun

Thanks for the motivation tonight, Coach.

< Prev		Next >