I am now thinking it’s quite possible the Sens won’t make the playoffs. This is what would have to happen for them to miss the cut:

• New York Rangers win one of their remaining four games.
• Philadelphia Flyers win one of their remaining three games.
• Boston Bruins win two of their remaining four games (one of which is against Ottawa), or win one and lose one in overtime or a shootout.
• Washington Capitals win all three of their remaining games.
• Ottawa Senators lose all three of their remaining games.

I don’t see all that as being terribly unlikely. They could actually still win a game and end up missing out too I think. They have set up a truly horrific end to the season for themselves: if they lose to Montreal on Tuesday, the Habs will clinch the Northeast division title while they watch; on Thursday they play Toronto and if they lose that they will not only lose the season series to Toronto but the obnoxious Leafs fans will be able to gloat to Sens fans forever about that time they helped take the Sens out of the playoffs; on Friday they play Boston, and if they lose it’s entirely possible they’ll be watching the Bruins either pass them in the standings or clinch a playoff spot. And if they do manage to lose all three games, then they’ll likely have to wait until Washington’s last game on Saturday to find out whether they’re making the playoffs at all. Any way you look at it, it’s pretty bad.

If they do in fact miss the playoffs, the players will maybe want to leave Ottawa for the summer like … very early Sunday morning. Sticking around risks being run out of the city by a mob brandishing whatever the federal government employee equivalent of a pitchfork is.

The Sens were horrible for most of their game against the Sabres last night and down 3-1 with about 10 minutes to go, then they inexplicably scored 5 goals and won 6-3. I don’t get them. I really don’t. The word “inconsistent” does not even begin to describe their season. Calling them schizophrenic is turning out to be a vast understatement.

Brian Lee made a solid NHL debut in the lineup last night. He’s little and blonde and cute and very young-looking, and will hopefully bring some youthful enthusiasm to the lineup.

Also during this game, Anton Volchenkov scored his first goal of the season. Apparently the players have been calling him Nogoalov after the mini-goalie commercial, because after the game he said “No more Nogoalov.”

I saw Spezza doing post-game interviews last night and he looked like he wanted to run away or maybe cry. I really felt bad for him, though I don’t have much sympathy for the team in general right now. There is an article on NHL.com this morning with the headline “Sens turn focus away from winning division and towards securing playoff.” They have officially conceded, basically. How the mighty have fallen.

I don’t know why they want to bother getting into the playoffs at this point. If they finish 6th and Washington ends up in 3rd, which I think is entirely within the realm of possibility, they would have to meet the Caps in the first round — pretty much the worst case scenario. In that case they should just forfeit the series. As bad as the Sens are, I am not sure they would lose to any other team in the first round. That is the upside, if it can be called a positive, of the East being incredibly mediocre this season (and by the way, memo to Habs fans: you are not going to win the Cup so you can stop planning your parade route now), which is also what’s really irritating about the Sens sucking so much. The conference was theirs for the taking. All they had to do was step up, and they couldn’t be bothered.

I guess when I said I no longer cared about them that wasn’t really the case. I still care; I just don’t expect anything from them anymore. I have given up on them. It’s sad, but will be healthier for my mental state in the long run. Now I will watch the rest of this season play out, but I will be pondering what changes should be made to the team over the summer while I do so.

So, the Sens are losing 7-1 to Montreal right now, and it’s only the end of the second period. Pretty bad eh? But, guess what? I have reached the point where I no longer care! I am finding the entire thing hilarious! Whether they have finally driven me insane or this is some kind of self-preservation instinct kicking in I do not know but it’s nice to think I won’t be depressed after games anymore. Anyway, there are only six games left in the regular season and I doubt the playoffs are going to last very long, that is assuming they actually make the playoffs.

Hooray for overcoming a crippling sports addiction.

Other than that … I have been working on a term paper. Woo hoo?

Post-Game Edit: The score ended up 7-5. How do you even react to that? Praise them for a glorious almost comeback? This team is absolutely beyond comprehension.

Hurricanes 5, Sens 1. Oh, the Sens played like ass today. Absolutely terrible. Way to undo all your progress, guys, and waste some pretty decent goaltending yet again. Adding insult to injury, former Sens Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves scored four of the Canes’ five goals.

I think it is only possible to evaluate this team one game at a time: they are completely schizophrenic.