One down, three to go.
The Ottawa Senators took the first step in proving their doubters wrong Thursday, downing the New York Rangers 2-1 in the opening game of the second-round matchup.
"The players didn't want to get swept at four. We heard from everybody how good they are. It's all we could hear, is how much they're going to crush us," Senators coach Guy Boucher told reporters following the victory. "It is a scary team. They've got four lines and their goaltender is outstanding, so maybe there was a lot of fear tonight that helped us."
Senators captain Erik Karlsson scored the winner with less than five minutes remaining in the final frame, bouncing a wide angle shot in off of Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.
It was just another day at the office for the Ottawa superstar, as far as Boucher is concerned.
"He's done exactly that before. I am not surprised by what he does now, but I guess my mind is not boggled by what he does now," Boucher said. "It's every day. It's something he comes up with. That's what the great players do, they come up with stuff at the right time, and they can take the pressure. I guess I got used to it."
Karlsson has been one of the Senators' top producers in the postseason, with seven points in as many games. He sits one point shy of center Derick Brassard for the team lead.
"We have to appreciate what we have here (in Karlsson). It's more than a star right now," Boucher added. "That's what I think is unbelievable. He's a skill player that became a star and now he's a winner. That's what he's inspired our group with all year long."
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