Why were the senators so good this season?

[Drake_02]

A team that was supposed to be a bottom 5 team finishes in the playoffs. Great seasons from a lot of guys.

What's your thoughts on this?

[BigLeagueChew]

#1 Coaching - Paul Maclean was awesome this year and let the players make mistakes but learn from them at the same time. There is no way Karlsson would get as many points as he did unless the coach let him play.

#2 Karlsson + Spezza - Karlsson was nearly a point per game defenceman at 21 years old, probably the best offensive season by such a young defenceman since Paul Coffey. Add Spezza finishing the regular season at 4th in league scoring with no elite wingers, and that certainly helps as well. Michalek had 35 goals but I would hardly call him a top winger.

#3 Style of play - Switched from a dump and chase the puck team to a puck possession team. In general, most of the time we only dumped the puck in when making a line change.

#4 Goaltending - Anderson wasn't amazing but kept the team in a lot of games. If it wasn't for his injury the sens could have finished a bit higher in the standings and possible beat the Rangers in game 7.

#5 AHL players stepped up - Greening, Smith , Condra, Cowen, Daugavins all won the AHL championship in Binghamton and helped make the transition to a NHL season with playoffs.

[BigSlam]

It was all about MacLean, his ability to connect with his players and allow them to play to their strengths.