What does a team do differently when they know they're going to play the best of the best? The top in the league? Not much different actually.



The Senators have recently re-mastered the Cory Clouston system, which shows us a team firing on all cylinders. Heck, even the power play is getting better, something we thought would never happen. The only thing you do differently is you play with more heart. Because the one big difference is the Sens may be playing without the big body of Anton Volchenkov (questionable for the game), who is one of the few defensemen who can bottle countryman Alex Ovechkin.

The Washington Capitals have a staggering 22 point lead on the Senators in the standings, so why should it matter? It matters very much, especially this late in the season. It allows the Senators team to measure itself against the best and see how and where it stands, iron out the kinks, see if its game holds up on the eve of the playoffs.

The Capitals, on the other hand, have a much tougher job. After finishing 3rd in the Conference in 2007-08 and 2nd on 2008-09, the Caps were bounced out of the playoffs early both time (first round and second round respectively). That they were bounced out by the team that would eventually win the Cup last year is small consolation: it still must prey on their confidence. Athletes are a superstitious bunch. The Capitals must look at the Senators with some trepidation, seeing a 5th place team who has managed to beat them two out of three times so far this year.

A loss would be no disaster for the Senators. After all, they're playing the best, it's an opportunity to see where the tinkering is required. If the Senators can stick to the plan, and force the Capitals to play their game, then it could go a long way toward establishing the confidence so crucial at this time of the year. It could also chip at the confidence of the Caps.