Stanley Cup Heroes, Part 2: The Pizza Line

Starting in 2005, the Senators started a promotion where every fan would get a free slice of pizza each time the Senators scored 5 goals. Far from unheard of these days, but still an easy way to convince people to come. Besides, it’s not like the Senators could score 5 goals often. Unbeknownst to them, the Senators had just formed a line that was going to terrify the NHL for the next 4 years. Thanks to the promotion, they became known as The Pizza Line. The line consisted of left winger Dany Heatley, centre Jason Spezza, and right winger Daniel Alfredsson. From 2005 to 2009, those 3 ranked 5th, 7th and 10th respectively in points. No other team can claim more than 1 in the top 10. They were a force of nature together despite having different origin stories. Alfredsson was the veteran of the trio. The reserved Swede was drafted in the 6th round during the 2nd draft in Ottawa’s history (1994). He had always been more than reliable for the Sens pre-lockout, but he hit an extra gear while next to his much younger linemates. He was able to score, assist and play defense as a regular Selke vote-getter. Spezza was also drafted by Ottawa, but rather than a lowkey 6th rounder, he was the 2nd overall pick in the 2001 draft. Still in his early 20s in 2005, he truly broke out as a star player and one of the NHL’s best playmakers. He averaged 60 assists per season and was more than capable of scoring 20 goals. Finally, there is Dany Heatley, the sniper. His story is actually a bit tragic. Originally with the Atlanta Thrashers after being drafted 2nd overall in 2000, he quickly became a star. However, after being involved in a horrific car accident that killed one of his teammates, Heatley requested a trade which made Atlanta furious. Right or wrong, he got his wish, was sent to Ottawa, and became rejuvenated, scoring 50 goals in his very first season and doing it again in 2007. 50 in 07 you might say. This line was obviously brilliant, but they hit a new level in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Senators’ first opponents were the Penguins. It was the first ever playoff appearance for the Crosby-Malkin era. The Senators welcomed them by crushing them in 5 games. Each member of the Pizza Line had multiple goals. Alfredsson led the way with 3 goals and 6 points. Their next opponent was the New Jersey Devils. The Devils were led by Vezina winner Martin Brodeur. Seeing Brodeur must’ve given the team flashbacks to him beating the Sens in the 2003 conference finals because Ottawa ANNIHILATED the Devils in 5. Each member scored 3 goals and Heatley racked up 10 points. In the conference finals, the Senators ran into the Presidents Trophy-winning Sabres. Buffalo had coincidentally been the team who eliminated the Senators in the playoffs last season. The Sens got revenge in 5 games and it was Spezza’s turn to take over. He accumulated 8 points with Heatley and Alfredsson right behind him as Ottawa made it to their first ever and only Stanley Cup Final. Through 15 playoff games, each Pizza Line member was well-above a point per game: Alfredsson: 10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points Heatley: 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points Spezza: 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points Sadly, the Senators ran into a monster in the Cup Final as the 2007 Ducks had insanely great depth, the perfect shutdown line and the terrifying D-pair of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. Anaheim won in 5 games. In 20 playoff games, each member finished with 22 points. They became the first trio to do that in the same playoff run in the 21st century. It has only been replicated 2 other times since by the 2008 Penguins and 2022 Avalanche (5 if we raise the maximum games to 22). Even though the Pizza Line could never match the 07 run, let alone win a Cup, they put themselves in Stanley Cup lore forever and became heroes in the eyes of Senators fans.

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