Ottawa Senators Round 2 Opponent Could Be Determined Tonight With A Penguins Win

It could be as soon as 9:30 tonight that the Ottawa Senators’ round 2 opponent could be confirmed.

The only game of the day features the Pittsburgh Penguins travelling to Nassau County Coliseum to face the New York Islanders.  The Penguins currently hold a 3-2 series lead, and if they can wrap it up tonight, it sets the stage for round 2.

May 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke (24) chase a loose puck during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Penguins won game 5 by a score of 4-0 after benching the struggling Marc-Andre Fleury in favor of Tomas Vokoun.  The switch was necessitated by Fleury’s substandard playoff performance, which has pretty much carried over ever since after the Pens won the Cup in 2009.

If Fleury sees the ice again in the playoffs as a starter, it will be because Vokoun has either gotten injured or dropped the ball, in which case the Penguins would be in trouble.

Should the Islander beat the Penguins in game 6, it would force a game 7 on Sunday, where the same scenario would be in place.  If the Islanders can beat the Penguins in game 6 and 7, then they would face the Rangers if they beat the Capitals.  Otherwise, the Senators would play the winner of Boston vs Toronto.  Both of those series are 3-2 in favor of Washington and Boston respectively.