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Every night these playoffs that the Sens are in action, everyone talks about the great performance by their captain Daniel Alfredsson.

Alfredsson has been the whipping boy for every past playoff failure the Senators endured. The last playoff game in 2006 saw Buffalo Sabre Jason Pominville walk around Alfredsson while shorthanded and scoring the winning goal that sent Ottawa packing. It was Alfredsson's fault. Emery didn's make the save...it was Alfredsson's fault. Redden coasted to the crease and didn't try to stop him...it was Alfredsson's fault. The rest of the forwards didn't backcheck and left Alfredsson hanging out to try...it was Alfredsson's fault.

Fickle fans have demanded he be traded, and if we listened Jason Spezza and Ray Emery would be out of town as well. Alfredsson always accepted the criticism, would answer for the team's mistakes like they were entirely his own, but always stated he wanted to win a Stanley Cup with the Ottawa Senators. He never complained about the pressure or gloat like Mike Ribiero that he enjoys playing in a city that doesn't know who he is. He wants to stay in a city that cares about hockey, and showed his commitment with a 5-year contract that pays him less money than he would gave gotten if he signed with someone else.

Finally, he's getting recognition....positive recognition, that has him an early favourite to win the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. Many say he's been holding back and that he's just finally come around, but I think Alfredsson has always tried his hardest every time he plays. I think the team around him has realized the type of effort you need to win during the toughest time of the year, and are following Alfredsson's example instead of leaning on him to do it all. The results are marks in the win column.

If Ottawa moves to the next round, and if they can take it all, out of all the players on the Senators roster, I'd be happiest for Daniel Alfredsson. Ottawa has taken him for granted for so long, he deserves all the kudos for victory if they achieve it.