from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Tip your cap to the Ottawa Senators, left for dead last Tuesday night after a home loss to the Boston Bruins that seemingly ending their postseason hopes. Somebody forgot to tell them, though.

The pesky Sens responded with wins over the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers and very much remain alive, five points back of the Bruins for the final wild-card spot with a huge Thursday game between the two teams looming this week.

First up, though, is a potential trap game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. The Sens have to remain focused. You better believe Andrew "The Hamburgler" Hammond will be in net again after winning the last three games. The underdog story of Hammond -- an afterthought in the minors before his call-up because of injuries last month -- is at the heart of this late-season rally. Odds are the Senators will fall short, but their run over the past month has been nothing short of spectacular. Do you believe in miracles?

read on for more hockey topics including Custance on the Ducks, Burnside on the Penuins and Strang on the Islanders...