Sens turn to Kelly for added leadership in Game 7: ‘He’s Mr. Integrity’
PITTSBURGH — A day before the Ottawa Senators staved off elimination in the Eastern Conference final, Chris Kelly got up in front of the group and offered his bit of veteran wisdom.
Kelly hadn’t played in more than a month, but wanted to stress to his teammates to live in the moment of their storybook playoff run. It’s that leadership dynamic which led Senators coach Guy Boucher to add the 36-year-old to the Ottawa lineup for Game 7 against the Penguins.
“That’s probably been my toughest decision all year long — to keep him out (of most playoff) games,” Boucher said Thursday morning of Kelly, who had played only one post-season game previously after suiting up in all 82 during the regular season. “I feel that definitely today is one of those games that he can be going in and make a contribution.”
One of two Stanley Cup winners on Ottawa’s roster, Kelly — who won a Cup in 2011 with Boston — said his speech was casual, and nothing like the inspiration zeal one might see in the movies.