In Game 1, the Ottawa Senators may have been guilty of giving their opponents a little bit too much respect. That has to change tonight.
The Senators play Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semi-final at the Consol Energy Center and will be looking to earn a much needed split in the Steel City. With a win tonight the Sens can take back home ice advantage before returning to Scotiabank Place this weekend. Game 3 goes on Sunday night in Ottawa.
Special teams was the name of the game on Tuesday night and is likely to be a huge factor again tonight.
Ottawa did a pretty good job of staying disciplined in the first game and will need to do the same tonight. MacLean's team has to do a better job when up a man. The power play struggled badly in the series opener and will need to simplify things if they're going to have success against this Pittsburgh team.
Traffic in front, pucks on net, and score some ugly goals.
Based on yesterday’s practice and updates from the morning skate, it looks like Paul MacLean will make a couple changes ahead of Game 2. Matt Kassian and Eric Gryba are out, Guillaume Latendresse and Andre Benoit are in. Here is how the Senators are expected to line up
Conacher-Turris-Alfredsson
Michalek-Zibanejad-Silfverberg
Greening-Pageau-Condra
Latendresse-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Benoit-Phillips
Craig Anderson gets the start for Ottawa. The Penguins counter with Tomas Vokoun.
- In case you missed it earlier, the NHL has named Senators Head Coach Paul MacLean as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for the second straight season. MacLean did a terrific job this year, guiding his young team to a playoff spot despite a ridiculous run of injures. Congratulations to MacLean on a well-deserved nomination!
Bruce Boudreau, Paul MacLean, and Joel Quenneville are finalists for this year’s Jack Adams Award: ow.ly/l8gio #NHLAwards
— NHL (@NHL) May 17, 2013
