Penguins Vs. Senators Game 3 Preview

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Apr 14, 09:37 AM | Hype this story!
 

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Penguins (2) vs. Senators (7) Game 2
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Series Score: Penguins 2 – Senators 0
Game Time: 7:00 EST
Location: Scotiabank Place (Ottawa)
Television: FSN Pittsburgh, CBC

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Preview
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series after winning their first two at home, but tonight they will travel to Ottawa to play their first playoff game in enemy territory.

Friday’s game saw the Penguins dominate the game in every aspect except the scoresheet, where a late third period goal followed by an empty netter gave the Penguins a bit of a cushion.

And, while the Penguins appear to be in control, they can’t let up, especially since the Senators could have a second wind after seeing how close they came to winning, despite being outplayed.

Senators forward Jason Spezza, while ailing from a knee injury, is expected to play tonight, while Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Kelly and Mike Fisher are not. However, just in case Spezza can’t go, the Senators have recalled rookie Andrei Nikulin from the AHL.

As for the Penguins, they will be playing at (or near) 100 percent health, as they’re injury list remains the same.

With a 2-0 series lead, the Penguins have a chance to put the final nail in the coffin in Ottawa with two more wins, but the Penguins must take it one game at a time and play hard on every shift.

“It’s easy to play well when you know it’s going to be a tough game,” Jarkko Ruutu said to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m not worried about that. We just have to be pretty good at the start. I’m sure they’re going to be coming hard.”

For a complete list of team leaders and statistics, click here.
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Injuries
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Pittsburgh: Eaton, IR (Torn ACL)
Ottawa: Spezza, DTD (Leg); Alfredsson, IR (Knee/Head); Kelly, IR (Leg); Fisher, IR (Knee)

Comments

  1. Head Coach Michel Therrien

    Apr 14, 09:50 AM

    You all know who dis message is direct to,

    Tonight is perhap’ de biggest game of de serie’ so far. How will de player handle de atmosfear in de Ottawa? How will de handle de crowd noise and de road?

    Tonight we shall see.

    Tonight we shall see that our player are prepare and haf de right attitude.

    Marc-Andre will be sharp. Geno Malkin will play de balls out style we now accustom to. De Sid will make his presence felt as will de Gary Robert, Sykora, Malone, de USS Hal Gill. We will show up as a team. It will take a total team effort to win de game.

    Will de Hossa put one behin’ de Gerber tonight game? Dis I cannot say but let us hope. He need to produce de goal.

    As fan you must treat dis as game one all over again because dat will be de Ottawa approach. We need a solid effort on your part tonight too.

    Also, de Micheal why mus’_you_type_like_dis’_everytime_you_tink_you_have_de_knowledge? Dis’ annoy me. It is like de cap lock people, no? And der’ is currently an opening for defensive assistant coach wit’ de Wheeling Nailer. Sign up.

    I will be behind de bench tonight, de players will be on de ice, but where will de fan be? No matter where you are make sure we can hear you even from de Ottawa,
    Michel

  2. Jonathan Farzalo

    Apr 14, 11:36 AM

    I have to say, it IS the biggest game so far this post season. If the Pens make it 3 games to none, then let’s be honest, it’s all but over. It’s just a matter of when. But, if it becomes 2-1, then it gives the Sens life and who knows what they might do with it.

    I also think that tonight we will finally see Hossa and Sid rewarded for their play, with goals anyways. They have been on the scoresheet via assists a ton, but goals have become very hard to find for this duo.

    Also, it will be up to our guys to dig deep tonight, as the Sens will have the last change, and while people may not realize how important that can be, it played a part in our first two wins. We found oppurtunities to put our top line up against their 3rd or 4th line, and we can expect to have a taste of our own medicine so to speak, tonight. Will Roberts, BGL, and Talbot be up to it? How about Staal, Ruutu, TK? They will need to win some key draws, and get the puck deep in order to change it up quickly, if needs be.

    Go Pens….

  3. Nathan

    Apr 14, 12:53 PM

    I wanna know how much time the Coach takes out of his day to post here.

    Dat is like de ‘caps lock,’ agreed.

  4. DaBich

    Apr 14, 01:17 PM

    We will be cheering LOUDLY, coach. Count on it!

  5. Ashley Gallant

    Apr 14, 02:45 PM

    I know that Alfredsson is out and Murray said last night that there is little chance of him coming back in the next two games, but those little rumours have me wondering if there’s a possibility of the Sens adding Alfredsson at the last minute. They may want to try and catch the Pens off-guard and to really fire up their crowd. Just a funny little feeling I have about the Senators.

  6. Beav

    Apr 14, 06:27 PM

    Alfie or no Alfie, a huge game for the good guys… Let’s Go Pens!

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