Senators goaltender Ray Emery will battle fellow rookie Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2.

by Todd Anderson

With Ottawa's Ray Emery and Buffalo Sabres' Ryan Miller putting in strong performances this post-season as NHL rookie goaltenders, Senators head coach Bryan Murray feels experience at an early age has helped young players in the league.

"Young people today that play pro hockey have been exposed to so much. They've been traveling the world since they were nine. It's not the way it used to be. With tournaments, all-star games, world juniors, the U-18 championship. They've had all kinds of pressure before. They just play. Ray Emery is the most relaxed guy in our room."

While Emery has shown the ability to bear down and focus on the task at hand, he says it's still exciting to be in his position. He's thrilled with every day that passes. 

"I still can't believe I'm playing in the NHL and the playoffs."

Emery described what his team must do against Miller in the series.

"(Miller) is a good goaltender. We've got to get traffic in front of him and battle for rebounds."

During a conference call Thursday afternoon, Miller assessed the Senators.

"They have a pretty balanced attack. They have a lot of guys known for their creativity. We're up against a real strong team in Ottawa but we feel we're able to go up against anyone right now."

Emery is 4-1 in these playoffs as he was in goal for every game of the Senators' first-round series victory against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Miller also played each game for the Sabres when they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 in their first-round series. Miller recorded a shutout in Game 5.