Round 2, Game 2 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins

The Ottawa Senators will look to bounce back after losing the opening game in round two, to the Penguins. The Sens are hoping a couple line-um changes might do the trick. It looks as though Andre Benoit and Guillaume Latendresse will draw back into the line-up in place of Matt Kassian and Eric Gryba. This should help bring in a little more skill and should help a little more than toughness against a skilled Pens team.

7th seed, Eastern Conference

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1st seed, Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh Penguins Lead 1-0 in best of 7 series

Puck Drop: 7:30 PM

TV: CBC   Radio: Team 1200

HEAD TO HEAD

In the first game the Senators played fairly well. It didn’t show on the scoreboard but they showed they can hang with the 1st seed. Another thing we learned is that Ottawa needs to stay away from the box and create a couple more quality scoring chances and shoud be able to compete against this heavily skilled Penguins team. Thomas Vokoun showed he was a little shaky in the first game even though he only allowed one goal. Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin led the way for the Penguins and Colin Greening was the only Senator to score for Ottawa.

May 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie

(92) makes a save against Ottawa Senators center Colin Greening (14) as defenseman

(3) defends during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

KEY PLAYERS

Erik Karlsson, OTT – Karlsson will need to bring his game up a level if the Sens want a chance to beat the Penguins. He is the best player on the team and will need to take this team on his back until at least another player can step up.

Thomas Vokoun, PIT – He will be a massive factor in this series whether he likes it or not. If he can play well he will most likely lead the Pens to a series win but on the other side of things might lead them to a loss if he allows weak goals.

TOP 3 STORIES OF THE GAME

1. Latendresse – The Quebec native will look to prove to his team he should not have been a healthy scratch for so long. If he comes out firing he might be a big factor for Ottawa
2. Special teams – If Ottawa wants to compete with the Pens they will need they’re PK to still be at the top of the NHL and will need to drastically improve their PP. A guy named Jason Spezza should be able to help real soon.
3. Vokoun – Which goaltender will we see? The veteran that can stand on his head and steal a game or the one that looks a little shaky at times. The Sens will hope for the latter.

PARTING SHOT

To say this might be a turning point in this series is an understatement. This is a big game for Ottawa, as they do not want to go back home down two. If Ottawa can steal one in Pittsburgh and go home tied at one and take away home ice advantage from the Pens, it will go a long way in having a chance to knock off the eastern conference powerhouse.

Enjoy the game!

Go Sens Go!