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Senators Season Preview: Ottawa's late-season fury was no accident

Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

The Ottawa Senators were a team possessed at the end of the regular season, seemingly refusing to lose in the final month.

The club went 16-3-3 in the team's final 22 games en route to the postseason after missing the playoffs one year prior.

The team welcomed new head coach Dave Cameron after dismissing Paul MacLean of his duties after going 11-11-5 in 27 games. Cameron fared much better going 32-15-8 in the following 55 games.

The team had the fifth most goals post All-Star break, tied for the fourth-best team save percentage, and tied for the seventh-best team goals-against average.

The club rode incredible performances from first-year players Andrew Hammond, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman. The team also proved that success can be achieved without one bonafide forward.

They remain without a true elite goal-scorer, though the case could be made for Bobby Ryan. The team saw defenseman Erik Karlsson lead the team in scoring with 66 points.

Despite not having a single player reach the 30-goal mark, the club saw five hit the 20-goal mark, making them a balanced threat.

The Senators hold the fourth-youngest roster in the league. They have a growing amount of players that are proving to be vital pieces of the club's future. They're likely still not ready to compete for the Stanley Cup or for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

However, the club should only improve moving forward, and a continued climb in the standings is more likely than a stroll to the bottom.

Projected Depth Chart

LW C RW
Clarke MacArthur Kyle Turris Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman Mika Zibanejad Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek Jean-Gabriel Pageau Curtis Lazar
Chris Neil Zack Smith Alex Chiasson
Colin Greening  
LD RD
Marc Methot Erik Karlsson
Patrick Wiercioch Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki Jared Cowen
Chris Phillips  
G
Craig Anderson
Andrew Hammond

X-Factor

The Senators clinched the playoffs with a remarkable run down the stretch last season, a stretch that was largely in part to the team's goaltending.

Hammond came in and took the NHL by storm. He put up a ridiculous 20-1-2 record in 24 games with a .941 save percentage and a 1.79 goals-against average.

Heading into the 2015-16 season Craig Anderson is poised to take the reins as the team's No. 1, as Cameron has gone on record saying he'd be shocked if Hammond played more than Anderson.

Anderson had solid numbers last season with a .923 SP and 2.49 GAA, but no matter who is between the pipes, the team will need strong performances.

The Senators' offense remains largely young and unproven, so the club will need to make sure that in the midst of uncertainty upfront, the back end is in good hands.

Player to Watch

Stone made the very best of his first full campaign in the NHL last season. After being drafted by the club in 2010, Stone paid his dues in the American Hockey League and exploded onto the scene.

The 23-year-old finished with 26 goals and 64 points in 80 games and finished second in Calder Trophy voting. He finished second on the team in goals, second in power-play goals, first in game-winning goals, and second on the team in scoring.

He finished the year with 33 points in the team's final 29 games, including finishing the season with a nine-game point streak.

Entering his second season, eyes will be on Stone to continue his brilliant play. It will be important for Stone not to fall victim to the "sophomore slump" and prove that last season was no fluke.

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