Round 2, Game 5 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins

After losing large on Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators will look to fight off elimination. Pittsburgh is currently leading 3-1 in the best of seven series and only needs one more victory to advance to the conference finals. Ottawa will need to win 3 in a row to win this series.

7th Seed, Eastern Conference

@

1st Seed, Eastern Conference

Penguins lead Best-of-7 Eastern Conference Semi-Final  3-1

7:30 PM

TV: CBC   RADIO: TEAM1200

HEAD TO HEAD

What we’ve come to notice in this series is that Ottawa is over matched by this Penguins team but if they can keep on the attack they can compete against the Pens. The problem with the Senators is they seem to lose concentration sometimes and they pay for it, last game was a great example. In game 4 the Sens were leading the Penguins after the first period and looked like they may  even the series but as the second period started the Sens were a little slow out of the gate and the Pens scored two quick goals. Then it all fell apart in the third, on route to a Penguins 7-3 win.

May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing

(24) controls the puck with Ottawa Senators right wing

(11) in pursuit in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Penguins defeated the Senators by a score of 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jason Spezza, OTT – This will mark as the Sens number one center’s 3rd game. You would expect him to be getting a little more comfortable and also a little more in game shape. If there is someone that can make a difference in this series to help things turn around it’s him.

Sidney Crosby, PIT – You could probably put his name down every time. But he had another gear in game 4 and was dangerous all the time it seemed. The Sens will need to try and shut him down as much as they can from this point on.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Do or Die – The Sens will need to bring all they have tonight. It will be tough to win,  especially in Pittsburgh on top of that. The Sens have their backs at the wall and cannot back off now.
2. Officially bad – I’m usually not one to complain about the refs but it is hard not to try and comprehend what has been going on this series. It seems like there are many “missed calls” on both sides, but more so on the Ottawa side. Hopefully it can all be sorted out tonight.
3. Rebounds – The Sens need to bang in all those rebound Tomas Vokoun is giving off. If Ottawa can position themselves better to get to those rebounds and convert on a couple they might just have a chance.

PARTING SHOT

You have to imagine the Sens will bring all they got tonight. That may include some more emotion as they are on the brink of elimination. This should be an interesting game, as one team is trying to stay alive and the other is trying to move on to the conference finals and wrap up this series.

Enjoy the game!