It certainly wasn’t the start the Ottawa Senators were hoping for on Tuesday night but likely one that fans were at least prepared for.
The powerful Pittsburgh Penguins team, which looked extremely beatable at times, dominated the special teams battle and cruised to an easy 4-1 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-final. Plenty of positives for the Senators to take away from this one, but in the playoffs, a loss is a loss. Game 2 goes on Friday night.
Going into this series, the Sens knew they had to stay out of the box if they were going to have a fighting chance in this series. And for the most part they did that, taking only four minor penalties through sixty minutes. The Penguins still made them pay. Paul Martin scored a power play goal less than three minutes into the game and Chris Kunitz scored a back breaker late in the second, with the Penguins up a man.
It obviously didn’t help that the Senators were 0-6 on their own power plays in Game 1.
In a three goal loss it’s easy to assume one team dominated the play but I really don’t think that was the case in the series opener. I think the Sens were guilty of giving the Penguins a little bit too much respect early in the game but they really seemed to settle down in the second. The Sens need to be a little harder on the sticks around Tomas Vokoun but the opportunities are certainly there for the taking.
Perhaps I’m guilty of being the eternal optimist at times but I’m not overly worried after that loss. The Senators showed they can hang with these guys and now with the first game jitters out of the way, they can come out and play their game from the moment the puck is dropped.
Get the split in Pittsburgh and bring this thing back to our barn, where I can guarantee the noise level will be at least ten times louder than the morgue that is the Consol No Energy Centre.
Will post updates from practice when they become available.
GAME 1- Pittsburgh 4 Ottawa 1
GAME 2- @ Pittsburgh- Friday, May 17
GAME 3- @ Ottawa- Sunday, May 19
GAME 4- @ Ottawa- Wednesday, May 22
GAME 5- @ Pittsburgh- Friday, May 24
GAME 6- @ Ottawa- Sunday, May 26
GAME 7- @ Pittsburgh- Tuesday, May 28
- Could be some injury concerns for the Sens after Game 1 as defenceman Eric Gryba left the game after a huge collision with Brooks Orpik. Gryba did not look right going off the ice and obviously you have to be concerned about a concussion. Will be interesting to see who MacLean goes to if Gryba can’t play. Andre Benoit and Mark Borowiecki have to both be options he considers.
- With the power play struggling badly in Game 1, I think it’s safe to assume Jason Spezza ramps it up in hopes of a return to the line up. MacLean would not rule him out for Game 2, which goes on Friday night.
