OTTAWA - The Senators and Devils will resolve their differences in a most fitting way: a seventh game for a spot in the Stanley Cup final.
They raced each other all season to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference. When New Jersey took a 3-1 series lead, Ottawa rallied, forcing tonight's Game 7 in Canada's capital - the Senators' reward for finishing five points better in the regular season.
"Why we got the Presidents' Cup is for (tonight)," Senators coach Jacques Martin said Thursday. "That's the key. You want to have that seventh game here. We have the luxury of having our fans, the noise, the support, the energy. I think that's a big, big thing."
These playoffs already have been big for an Ottawa team that overcame bankruptcy and its small market, then erased the dreadful memories of postseason disappointments.
The Senators, in their 11th season, have made their deepest postseason run. But their past two wins, including Wednesday's 2-1 overtime thriller, ended an 0-6 streak in games where they faced elimination.
The Devils are not giving the Senators any edge.
"We're not disappointed at all," New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur said. "To be in a Game 7 to decide if we are going to go to the Stanley Cup or not, we'll take it any time against any team."
The survivor hosts well-rested Anaheim in the opener of the final Tuesday night.
History doesn't provide the Senators or Devils an edge.
Ottawa is 0-2 in Game 7s, both on the road. New Jersey is 4-6 in seventh games, 2-5 on the road.
The Senators are attempting to become the 20th team, and fourth this postseason, to overcome a 3-1 deficit. New Jersey is the only team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a conference final, against Philadelphia in 2000.
The Senators aren't underestimating the Devils.
"I think with their experience, they can be a very dangerous team," Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said. "They know how to win. If we're not at our best, we can't win."
The Senators have gotten little production from their top threats. Alfredsson, Marian Hossa and Todd White, who combined for 97 regular-season goals, have accounted for just two against the Devils.
New Jersey's top players have also struggled, as the team is led by checking forward Jay Pandolfo, who has two goals and five points.
GIGUERE AND LENO: As most of the Mighty Ducks watch tonight's game on television, goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere will appear on The Tonight Show. Giguere will be the second NHL player to appear on the show, joining Detroit forward Brendan Shanahan, who appeared in 1997. "You have to be funny, and that does not come easy to me," Giguere said. "But it's good to get hockey some exposure."
CANADIENS: First-round draft pick Chris Higgins signed a three-year contract. He left Yale after two years.
SHARKS: The team picked up its option for next season on center Mike Ricci.
