OTTAWA -- The numbness the Ottawa Senators felt after the abrupt end of their remarkable season Sunday had given way to optimism Tuesday.
After a spectacular rally over the last two months of the regular season to earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the young Senators were eliminated in the Eastern Conference First Round in six games by the Montreal Canadiens.
The Senators were 14 points out of a playoff spot on Feb. 10, but backed by the emergence of goaltender Andrew Hammond, a 27-year-old undrafted free agent, they finished the season 23-4-4 to earn the first wild card.
Hammond started his NHL career 20-1-2 in the regular season before giving way to veteran Craig Anderson after the Senators lost the first two games against the Canadiens.
"A lot of great things that happened, but it's always tough coming to the rink when other teams are still playing," Hammond said as the players gathered one last time this season for exit and media interviews. "I think in the big picture, there are a lot of things to be proud of for this team and the way we were able to get into the playoffs and the character we showed throughout.
"To be counted out as much as we were, to come back from 14 points down it was obviously what seemed like an insurmountable hill to climb, but just to show up at the rink the way we did and do what we did was a lot of fun to be a part of."
The Senators fell behind the Canadiens 3-0, losing Games 2 and 3 in overtime, before rallying to win Games 4 and 5 on some strong play by Anderson. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price had a 43-save shutout in Game 6 to eliminate the Senators.
The Senators are optimistic for next season given their finish to the regular season, the experience they got in the playoffs and their opportunity for growth; they counted on 13 players 25 years of age or younger.
Two of those key players are captain Erik Karlsson, 24, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman, and forward Mark Stone, 22, who finished the regular season with 47 points in 46 games. He's a finalist for the Calder Trophy as top rookie.
"Seeing hockey on TV and realizing that we weren't going to be a part of it anymore, that's still a little disappointing, but definitely some things to build on going forward, for sure," Stone said.
Stone, who was slashed on the right wrist by Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban in Game 1 and suffered a microfracture and ligament damage, turned down an opportunity to play for Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch will play for Canada.
Karlsson, who played through an undisclosed injury, and center Mika Zibanejad, who injured his kneecap in Game 1 against Montreal, turned down invitations to play for Sweden.
Karlsson, who said his injury only requires rest, was impressed with how the Senators handled the challenges of the season, which included dealing with the death of assistant coach Mark Reeds, who died on the eve of the playoffs after battling cancer.
"We've been through a lot and we've had to deal with a lot of things, even off the ice," Karlsson said. "And most importantly I think everyone has grown since the season started, especially since after Christmas, around there when the games became important. We went on the run we did and got where we are right now."
Forward Clarke MacArthur said this season was a unique experience in his career.
"I've never been on a run like that," he said. "That's something years from now I will remember, having that many Game 7s and winning them."
Looking toward next season, MacArthur said the Senators might have taken the biggest step in becoming a Stanley Cup contender.
"I think just knowing what we are as a team is the hardest part and I think we've got that figured out," he said. "Everyone has a good summer and we come back and we get right back on the horse and see what we can do. I think the next two or three years we really have to make a push for it."
The goaltending situation will be interesting. Hammond, who got his chance because of injuries to Anderson and Robin Lehner, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Lehner sustained a concussion Feb. 16 and did not return.
Anderson, who missed 19 games after bruising his right hand Jan. 21, started Game 3 against the Canadiens and gave up four goals in the final four games of the series.
"My only thought is to come here ready to go in training camp," he said. "Be in the best shape I possibly can and earn my ice time. We have good players; that's a good problem to have. It makes everybody better because we have to push each other."
Hammond said he's proved he can play in the League.
"It's something I always believed and now I've played games in the League it's something you feel comfortable and you feel like you can be an asset to a team," he said. "That's all you can really ask for is to have the ability to prove to yourself that you can play."
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