Ottawa Senators feeling Daniel Alfredsson's absence from line-up -NHL Playoffs Update
Ottawa fans had high hopes from their team as the Senators were scheduled to be back home for game 3 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference playoff quarterfinals against New York Rangers, but playing without captain, Daniel Alfredsson,
they just did not seem like the team they used to be.
39-year-old Daniel Alfredsson was not with the team during the 2010-2011 regular season and his absence certainly was felt on the team as the Senators ended last that year.
His comeback the next season resulted in a drastic improvement in the team as Ottawa made the playoffs on a high note and took game 2 from New York at the Madison Square Garden to level the series.
Not being available to play for game 3, Ottawa struggled to play not only with the same dedication, but also was lacking the guidance needed to take a high level ranking team like New York Rangers down.
Carl Hagelin of New York elbowed Daniel Alfredsson in game 2, after which the captain was unable to make a return.
“It’s hard,” said Alfredsson. “Carl is not that kind of player, but with the intensity and everything that goes on in a playoff game, he gets an elbow up where I think that maybe, normally, he wouldn’t have if it’s not a playoff game ... I’m not a guy that’s
going to hold a grudge. Things happen, it’s playoff hockey and if it needs to be disciplined, the league will take care of that and move on.”
“Anytime — especially playoffs — when you get injured, you go to the locker room and see how you feel and go from there,” Alfredsson added.
It is still highly unlikely that Alfredsson will make a comeback in their next game against New York on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Place, but if they lose, Ottawa will still having a chance at rebounding in game five where the captain may make a return.
Ottawa fans still have their fingers crossed for a game four appearance by their captain and having him will certainly be enough for them to counter back and take a much needed win.
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