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No one, outside of their own fans, are talking about the Ottawa Senators as they head to the playoffs.

Ottawa is already assured of a playoff spot, and will place either 4th of 5th in the standings and play the New Jersey Devils or Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sabres have clinched the Eastern Conference and it's all up in the air as to who represent the East in the Stanley Cup finals.

Yawn.

It seemed almost every year prior to this one, great expectations have been placed on Ottawa. Last year they were heavily favoured with a lot of media picking them to win the Stanley Cup. Of course, that didn't happen, and now the Sens have mostly been ignored while teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings are heavy favourites heading into the post-season.

Let's look at some excuses why Ottawa has not done that well in their previous playoff appearances:

Pressure: They were often touted as favourites. High expectations were placed upon them, and they did not respond. Early exits followed.

Goaltending: Patrick Lalime. Tom Barrasso. Ron Tugnutt. The one time Ottawa did have a goaltender considered elite was last season in Dominik Hasek, but he fell to injury. Rookie Ray Emery did his best under the circumstances, but was overwhelmed. Playoffs are 80% goaltending according to Larry Robinson, and many cite this position as Ottawa's primary weakness.

Adversity: Things seem to come very easily for Ottawa during the regular season. They would usually beat their opponents convincingly, sometimes by a wide margin of goals. When they were in tight, one goal games, they were in unfamiliar territory.

Things have changed this season. And while perhaps the Senators aren't expected to make a lot of noise this Spring, perhaps this is the best thing to happen to them: to have no expectations.

Pressure: Aside from the hope all of us Sens fans have that they'll go all the way, there isn't that much attention placed on them this year to accomplish this feat. Without these extra distractions, perhaps they can play a more confident, relaxed style. Were the sticks squeezed too tightly last year? Maybe. Without the added pressure of being a favourite, maybe they can just play their game and win.

Goaltending: Ray Emery is having a fantastic year. When put in a big game, I find he plays even better. If he can be as consistent as he's been this season, he can definitely carry his team to some playoff victories and even steal a game or two.

Adversity: Their early season slump has not been forgotten. Their blown leads have been remembered. The players have stepped up when their teammates fell to injury. This is a team that has built a lot more character than in recent years. And for a change, their 2nd half of the season has been better than their start: only six regulation losses in the last 44 games. These experiences should make them more battle-hardened for the playoffs.

Just maybe things can come together for Ottawa to do some serious damage this Spring. And, perhaps quietly, the rest of the league doesn't realize this may be the best team Ottawa has ever put together for the playoffs.

Best that no one knows about it.