May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) watches the puck rebound following a shot on Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun (92) in the second period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

Like like every game it seems the Ottawa Senators almost right off the bat is on the penalty kill. Just like game 3 an Ottawa Senator took advantage of a miscue from a Penguin and made them pay. Tonight it was Milan Michalek, who used his speed, which we haven’t seen in a long while; to score yet another short handed goal. This was the Sens first time in this series playing with the lead. The Sens lead lasted 12 minutes until James Neal shot perfectly high glove to tie it up at one. But a minute and change later Thomas Vokoun coughed up a rebound once again but this time Ottawa finally made him pay as Kyle Turris banged in the rebound for his 5th of the playoffs and gave his team the 2-1 lead after the first period. Oh lets not forget about Craig Anderson who was unbelievable making 15 saves many of them huge but it wouldn’t be enough later on.

The second period began in disastrous fashion. One with Erik Karlsson too busy trying to draw a penalty and made his team pay for it as Pascal Dupuis skated to a break away and scored five hole on Craig Anderson to tie the game at two. The other with the Sens stopping to play hockey and letting Pittsburgh skate in and take shots freely as Anderson let off a rebound which was hammered in by Jarome Iginla. After many “missed calls” Ottawa was finally awarded a power play, which produced many good chances. One of them being a Jason Spezza shot which hit the post. The period ended with the Sens still on the power play and still down 3-2.

The third period began with the balance of the Sens power play which created nothing. Moments later the Penguins were awarded another power play courtesy of a Sergei Gonchar penalty. Pittsburgh took advantage of their power play as James Neal scored his second goal of the game to put the Pens up 4-2. This was only the second goal the Sens allowed in the third period. As I say how well the Sens have played in the third period the wheels fall off as Pascal Dupuis scored a short handed goal and then not even a minute later Sidney Crosby made it 6-2 to seal the Sens fate. At this point Robin Lehner was put into the game in favour of Craig Anderson. Moments later Chris Neil took a penalty and Jarome Iginla scored to make it 7-2. Daniel Alfredsson added a power play goal but it was all too late, as 7-3 was the Final.

OBSERVATIONS

• Mark Stone had a couple decent shifts but looked a little lost tonight. The Sens might want to give him some regular season games to see what he has to offer. Still think he would compliment Spezza quite well but needs some more games to develop, kind of the same way Mika Zibanejad needed some games.
• Had it not been for Craig Anderson this might have been quite a different game. He made some massive saves, especially in the first period.
• The Sens showed just why you never want to stop playing against the Penguins, as the Pens scored two quick goals to take the lead in the second period.

VS

Penguins lead Best-of-7 Eastern Conference Semi-Final  2-1

7:30 PM

TV: CBC   RADIO: TEAM1200

HEAD TO HEAD

Daniel Alfredsson‘s shorthanded goal with less than 30 seconds left sent the game to overtime, and Colin Greening‘s winner in the second extra frame ensured that Craig Anderson‘s stellar 49 save performance would not be wasted.  Ottawa avoided falling behind 3-0 in the series, getting back into it with the 2-1 OT win.

May 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Chris Neil (25) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Tyler Kennedy (48) at the face-off circle during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jason Spezza, OTT – His impact was noticeable despite being limited in playing time in his first game back since late January.  The telling moment that Spezza was at least capable of playing hard minutes came in the first overtime period where he took a jarring hit along the boards and seemed none the worse for the wear.  Now it is just a matter of getting timing and game shape back and Spezza will be an true impact player.

James Neal, PIT – One of the most gifted snipers in the game has been extremely quiet so far this post-season, making one wonder when he is going to break out with a big game.  The 10 leading goal scorer this season has just 1 in 7 playoff games.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Doubting Tomas – While Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun went save for save with Anderson on Sunday, you would have to say Vokoun was the goalie more susceptible to the bad goal.  He was shaky at times and with a little better finish Ottawa could have easily run away with the game early on and not let it get down to a last minute goal and OT winner.  Ottawa should pepper him early, and hit the net.  Even if it hits him, the likelihood of a juicy rebound is very high.

2. Encore! – Each home playoff game this season has been more exciting and/or dramatic than the previous one.  What can these teams to for an encore?

3.  Officially Bad – This week has been a bad one for officials, and not just in this series.  They are under intense scrutiny with a number of controversial calls affecting almost every game.  It doesn’t matter what side of the fence you are sitting on, you can’t be happy with the way the games are being called, due to lack of consistency from game to game, and especially within the same game. This needs to improve for the league’s integrity as a whole.

PARTING SHOT

There are rumors swirling that Mark Stone might draw into the lineup, probably in place of Cory Conacher on the Jason Spezza line.  The big body and offensive upside might be a decent fit, as Conacher has been a pest but hasn’t shown a ton of offensive flair.  He has been in the right place at the right time in certain situations, but hasn’t really been a factor against Pittsburgh, playing a team low 13:22 in four and a half periods on Sunday.

ENJOY THE GAME!