Getting that third victory is the tough one. Even though the Senators have now stringed two victories by shutout together, the third is the confidence-builder.

In their first game, they got their offensive ducks in a row. In the second game, they put up a better defense while maintaining a good offensive posture. Now they have to do it again with the little nagging voice at the back of their minds asking if they are doing the right thing, especially the "stars" of the team.

There is nothing harder for the "stars" of the team to come out and "perform". For the journeymen of any team, the job is straightforwad: they have a role to play, and they play it. For example, no one expects Chris Neil or Jarkko Ruutu to come out and score a hat trick and win the game single-handedly. This is not their role. They are checkers, pests, brawlers. Their role is to keep the puck in the offensive zone for their whole shift, tire out the opposition, in the hopes that the next line off the bench will have an easy time. Goals are a bonus.

It's the Jason Spezzas, the Daniel Alfredssons, the Alex Kovalevs, and even to some extent the Mike Fishers (although I see Fisher as a journeyman who's having an exceptional season) that are going to find it difficult. They CAN win a game single-handedly and have done so in the past. Some people expect them to do this. By the simple fact that they are "stars", it also makes them "thinkers" and "playmakers". Coach Cory Clouston has likely defined a role for each of them, and tried to bring out the best in them, and is set to match his strength against the Sabres. But if the players try to outthink their coach and try to do too much, then they will fail.

Let's be honest here, the "stars" likely won't be the differencemakers for the Senators for the rest of the season. There is not a single 30-goal scorer on the team. Alfie has 61 points and with the few games left, can expect to finish with maybe 75 points. It's the journeymen that will win or lose the games for the Sens. It is Chris Kelly, or Nick Foligno, or Peter Regin or even Zack Smith who will have to step up and deliver. This year, more than ever, it is the  Senators as a team who will succeed or fail as a team.