Rookie rules the roost

Bold move to play Spezza pays off handsomely for Sens

Some firsts are merely statistical.

For the Senators, they were looking to win a game for the first time in franchise history when facing elimination. In this case, down 3-1 in the series, their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals was hanging in the balance.

Part of Ottawa's problems against New Jersey thus far have been its inability to score on the power play and its offense's disappearance in the third period. One of the telltale statistics, though, is the importance of scoring the first goal, with both teams sporting perfect records in the playoffs prior to Game 5 when doing so. Well, the Sens scored first, broke through on the power play and scored more than a single goal in the final period for the first time this postseason.

Not surprisingly, Ottawa prevailed, with a few of those stats being causal and a couple merely effect. The catalyst of much of the attack, especially late, was 19-year-old Jason Spezza, who was making his playoff debut. The talented youngster was sharp in the offensive zone throughout, but he saved his best work for later. Spezza set up the game-winning goal with a clean faceoff win and later scored the clincher on the power play after again winning the draw back to the point.

Spezza's inclusion in the lineup with the Sens facing elimination was somewhat curious. Ottawa head coach Jacques Martin is conservative by nature and speculation is that general manager John Muckler was more of a proponent of this move. No matter. Desperation calls for drastic decisions. Whoever made the call can take the credit now, as Spezza delivered just what the Senators needed -- unabashed offensive instincts against the restrictive defensive posture of the Devils. He meshed nicely with Peter Schaefer and Martin Havlat on a third line that produced.

Maybe now some of the veterans like Daniel Alfredsson and Marian Hossa can follow the example set by Spezza and get serious about initiating their base strengths. Spezza took hits twice along the boards to make plays. After all, that is what made him the second pick overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Maybe not knowing what to expect from the opposition freed Spezza to worry about himself. Alfredsson and Hossa appear to anticipate the defense too much, limiting their effectiveness as much as does the effort of the Devils' checkers.

It was just one game, but for Spezza, it was an auspicious entry into playoff action. Now, the Senators look for another first -- handing the Devils their first home loss of the postseason -- a must if they are to force a Game 7. Certainly, it will take more than a jolt from a precocious rookie for the Senators to achieve.

Three Stars

First Star: There is always something pure and magical about a young athlete delivering under pressure, and Spezza did just that in Game 5.

Second Star: An underrated rearguard who had just an average regular season, Chris Phillips had a magnificent game at both ends.

Third Star: Likewise, Todd White was outstanding all night long at both ends of the ice -- pesky on the forecheck and persistent on the backcheck.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason, and he is also broadcasting the Stanley Cup Finals for NHL Radio.

 

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