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For two straight meetings the Penguins came out
of the gate storming. They took it straight to the heart of the
Senators, played physical, played with an edge, and only let up in
game two after it seemed they would coast. It almost burned them
that game, but the were resilient and came back to break the tie with
just over a minute to play.
How would the Penguins deal with the layoff? How would the
Senators respond to losing in the final minutes?
To open game 3, this time in Ottawa, the Penguins looked a bit behind
to start. With Ottawa, being led by Daniel Alfredsson, who missed the
first two games, coming out and throwing tons of shots at the
net. Thankfully for the Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury was able to
weather the storm and the period settled down to a more even
pace. It was a scoreless first, but it wasn’t without plenty of
hits and chances at both ends of the rink, clearly both teams were
playing fierce playoff hockey.
The 2nd period had it’s share of ups and downs for both teams.
With Ottawa striking first on a badly played puck by Ryan Whitney, the
kind of play that some have come to expect from him, the kind that
tends to lead to questions of his long-term contract. Regardless
of your opinion on that subject, Whitney did make up for it with
plenty of physical play the remainder of the game. Approximately
4 minutes later in the period, beautiful breakout passing by the Pens
led to a great setup by Marian Hossa to Max Talbot, who snuck the puck
in 5-hole on Martin Gerber, making it 1-1. The period ended with
the score tied. The game had all the makings of a close,
hardhitting, 2-1 game.
At least that’s what was going through many of the heads
watching….it was not to be.
To open up the 3rd, Sidney Crosby stormed down the left and threw the
puck shortside on Gerber 12 seconds in, giving the Penguins their
first lead of the night. About a minute later, Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy, and
Jarkko Ruutu teamed up for a great deflection goal to make it
3-1. The Penguins then had the luxury of a few penalty calls
going their way, plus a few stupid penalties by Ottawa to give them
plenty of opportunities to extend their lead. Which they
did. A scrum around the net led to the puck shuffling loose in
the crease, and one Marian Hossa corralled it and stuffed it behind
Gerber, who was none to pleased with the lack of a quick whistle like
the chance right before. The rest of the way the Penguins pretty
much shut the door on a stunned Ottawa Senators team, never showing
that attitude of coasting with the lead they let slip in during the
previous game.
While the Penguins have improved on the faceoffs this series, they
still need to win more, and their powerplay still has not looked
overly impressive, going 1-7 again tonight. They have remained rather
disciplined as a team since game one, and when they have taken a trip
to the box, have killed penalties better than most expected they would
against a rather potent offense. For Penguin fans it was nice to
finally see goals from Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, and Marian Hossa
tonight, showing that their offense is very expansive.
Can the Pittsburgh Penguins sweep the Ottawa Senators? Game 4 is
Wednesday night @ 7pm in Ottawa.
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Comments
Eric
Apr 15, 12:09 AM
I don’t know if it’s because they were timid, but they played the 1st a little shaky. Which, all things considered, was still good enough to remain tied with a desperate team on the road. I think the 2nd period they started to control the play more, and were able to create more opportunities. They proved again that when they can control and dictate the play, they are a very tough team to beat.
The 3rd period was a clinic on how to run down the clock and apply the trap. I don’t think the Sens had a 3-man rush at all in the past 10 minutes.
Tonights game was a big confidence builder. Four players getting their 1st of the post-season, gets them going. Another solid outing by Fleury who has probably now forgot about his bad showing in the playoffs last year.
Overall, a very good team win.
Let’s get out the broom.
skerbud
Apr 15, 08:07 AM
That was sweet that Staal finally got on the score sheet….Thanks to a sweet pass from Kennedy.. Kennedy’s speed got him to the corner and with a man all over him he passes out front for a Jordon Staal poke … Way to crash the net staal.
DaBich
Apr 15, 09:17 AM
It seemed some of the more experienced Senators are trying to intimidate the younger Pens. i.e. first game LaPointe hazing Fleury; this game, pushing Staal and kennedy around; Neil knocking Letang down and smacking him in the face. It’s not working!! Our guys are dishing it back, and I love it!
I agree, Skerbud, Staala’s goal was sweet. It’s about time. I’m also thrilled Crosby, Hossa, and Talbot got on the goal score sheet.
Bring on game 4!
Eric ~ a sweep would be awesome!
Head Coach Michel Therrien
Apr 15, 10:13 AM
Dear Penguin Hockey Fan and Fateful Faceoff of the Factor Reader,
Total team effor’ las’ night.
As I said, de Marc-Andre would deliver and he play perhaps his best game of de year las’ night. He was de reason Crosby could get us de game winner in de terd period. And what a terd period it was. De Sid, Staal, and finally Hossa come threw.
I am not disappointed in any facet of our game last night. Everyone came to play and win.
Dis team, your team is confident and learning how to win de big games. De are learning playoff hockey, how to finish off de opponent when de are down.
However, Ottawa is not dead yet. De will still compete and try to take us away from our discipline’ game. Dis we must not allow dem to do. We must continue to dictate de play wit’ de puck possession.
I want to tank all of you for de support, even de Michael who will probably find someting to complain about. I will play de part of de oracle and decree dat it will be the_ONLY_Ottawa goal, haha. De puck was bouncing and de Whitney misplay it, but we all make mistake. Dat is de human and hockey player condition. Nothing can be perfect but we must try for de perfection each game.
I now leave you Penguin hockey fan and fateful Faceoff of the Factor reader to bask in the confidence for one day only, just one. Den you must get de killer instinct. Find de inner Gary Robert in each of you and bring it to de game on Wednesday,
Michel
Ashley Gallant
Apr 15, 10:59 AM
Eric – “The 3rd period was a clinic on how to run down the clock and apply the trap. I don’t think the Sens had a 3-man rush at all in the past 10 minutes.”
Yeah, the life and energy was really sucked out of the Sens and the crowd in those last 10 minutes. Ottawa just seemed to be going through the motions, eager to get back to the dressing room. I give them a ton of credit for coming out swinging and giving it everything they had in the first 40 minutes, but they should have kept up the intensity late in the game when they were down 3 goals. The probability of them scoring three in 10 minutes was slim, but they have proven in the past that they are more than capable of doing it. That’s where the leaders should have stepped up and said something on the bench. If you’re going to lose a game, at least maintain the same level of intensity you had to start the game.
HCMT – I agree that the Sens are not dead yet. They will do everything possible to try to avoid being swept. The fourth win is always the hardest to get, and the Sens will make the Pens work to get it.
Head Coach Michel Therrien
Apr 15, 11:38 AM
De Sidney,
I like your attitude.
You should be getting de rest though. You must be hundred percent for de game Wednesday.
De Sidney is great player on and off de ice. You see how freely he give of his time to de fan?
I like his thought about de system,
Michel
Eric
Apr 15, 07:37 PM
HCMT, Do you plan to put in Darryl Sydor to give him a playoff game under his belt in 2008? Maybe give Letang, Gill or Whitney a rest? Not saying any of them to deserve to sit, but just thinking of giving Sydor some time.
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