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Sens coach MacLean on Game 5: ‘We’re scared to death’

Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators - Game Three

OTTAWA, CANADA - MAY 5: Head coach Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators stands on the bench and watches the play as his choice of players dwindled to Daniel Alfredsson #11, Marc Methot #3; Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44, Erik Condra #22 and Milan Michalek #9 due to penalties and injuries in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Place, on May 5, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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In the 2012 playoffs, the Ottawa Senators took a 3-2 series lead against the Rangers, but New York bounced back and won that series. Now they are once again just one victory away from moving past the first round, but they certainly don’t feel confident.

When asked about Game 5 on Thursday (7:00 p.m. ET, CNBC), Senators coach Paul MacLean said they are “scared to death.”

“We know it’s going to be really hard,” MacLean told NHL.com. “Tomorrow is going to be a hard game and we have to make sure we’re ready for that no matter what they have or who they play. It’s going to be hard.”

MacLean is hoping they learned something from falling short last year. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens certainly don’t seem to share his fears despite their more vulnerable position.

“Quite frankly, I want to beat these guys,” Canadiens defenseman PK Subban said. “We have another opportunity tomorrow to play, and we can beat these guys.

“We’re better.”

If the Canadiens do manage to pull off a comeback, it will be without several key players.