How the Ottawa Senators grew into being a playoff team

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Eugene Melnyk believed in the Ottawa Senators -- bullishly, unabashedly and with trademark bravado.

It's what made the Senators' late owner such a lightning rod around the league. And his stance was firm until he passed away that Ottawa would rise again to be a playoff contender.

"I truly believe that we are a Stanley Cup winner within four years," Melnyk said in 2020. "It can happen any time, but within four years."

The declaration was bold, and totally befitting Melnyk's persona. At the time, Ottawa hadn't reached the postseason since falling in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference finals. The Senators went from being one goal away from a Stanley Cup Final to racking up…