What we came to notice in this first game is that the Ottawa Senators can hang in with the Pens, but definitely won’t when it comes to the power play. If the Sens want to even have a chance they will either need to drastically improve the power play or score more on even strength. The Senators have been successful when scoring even strength and having Jason Spezza back would help both aspects of the Sens game.
May 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie
Tomas Vokoun(92) makes a save against Ottawa Senators left wing
Jakob Silfverberg(33) as Pens defenseman
Brooks Orpik(44) defends during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
GAME RECAP
Right off the bat it was clear that, the Senators cannot let the Penguins go on the power play too often as they capitalized on an early power play getting a goal from Paul Martin who scored with a slap shot from the point which hit off the post and into the net. A couple minutes later there was a scramble in front of the net and Colin Greening was planted in front of Thomas Vokoun. That paid off for him as he managed to muscle the puck past the goal line to tie the game at one. Slightly passed the half way point of the first period Evgeni Malking would get a pass from Chris Kunitz right at the door step who then banged it in to get the Penguins the one goal lead after one period.
The Second period was probably the Sens best period but just could not get anything passed Vokoun. Ottawa just couldn’t get the right bounce to get anything into the Pens net. During a Pens power play near the end of the second period, Chris Kunitz would barely get a shot off towards Craig Anderson but Anderson couldn’t quite get to it as it trickled into the net to give the Penguins the two goal lead after the second period.
After the Sens’ comebacks in the Habs series you might think the Sens could get the chance to tie it up in this period and they got the chances with multiple power plays. But Ottawa just couldn’t convert on anything in the 3rd period. It was a short handed goal from Pascal Dupuis that would end it all for the Sens, as he roofed the puck on Anderson to give the Pens the 4-1 lead. I’m sure after watching the Leafs game 7, Sens fans were probably thinking “hey a 4-1 lead isn’t as safe as you would think!” But that just wasn’t the case as 4-1 was the final for the night.
SENSHOT PLAYER OF THE GAME
The Penguins goaltending was a little shaky most of the night but you know what, Thomas Vokoun made all the stops he should have made. It might not have been pretty but he got the job done stopping the Sens all night.
UP NEXT
The Sens will look to tie it up on Friday night. Ottawa cannot go back home down 2 against the Pens, that just too dangerous they will need to bring a better game and get better quality shots against Thomas Vokoun and test him early. Game starts at 730 PM Friday night on CBC.