from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The Senators started off a meaningful March schedule by extending their season-best winning streak to five games, putting the Columbus Blue Jackets in their place with a 5-2 victory in front of 18,073 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night....

The Senators last won five consecutive games in March 2017, before they went to the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference playoff final....

Fans chanted “We Want Playoffs” as the clock ticked down in the third period with the two points were well in hand.

“It gave me chills,” Stutzle said.

He wasn’t alone on that front.

“The crowd had great energy right from the get go,” said coach D.J. Smith. “It’s a credit to our guys for dragging this group along. We were down and out essentially. What they’ve done here lately, and what they did stay afloat in December and January, our core group of guys believe in each other.

“There is a buzz but there’s still lots of track here.”

With the Pittsburgh Penguins losing 4-1 decision to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Senators closed the gap for the final wildcard spot in the East. They, the Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals are breathing down the necks of the Penguins, all just three points back.

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