The Pens got their revenge last night by knocking the Ottawa Senators out of the playoffs. The Sens eliminated the Pens last year in the first round by beating them 5 games to 1. Pittsburgh this year one upped them by sweeping the series. The Sens were never really in this series from game one although they showed some life in game three, but could not prevail. I thought the Sens would come out swinging in game four, instead they did just the opposite. There was no scoring in the first, but the Pens out shot Ottawa 14-5. The second period came along, and Pittsburgh didn't wait long to score. One minute and forty seconds into the second, Evgeni Malkin score his second career post season goal on the power play assists coming from Sidney Crosby and Sergei Gonchar. Scotiabank Place was silent sensing that the Senators season was all but over. The Senators didn't go away silently. Cory Stillman knotted the scoring up at one. It was an ugly goal, but the Sens would take it. It was Stillman's second of the series assisted by Wade Redden and Anton Volchenkov. The Pens knew that they could not let the crowd back into the game and by doing so they put up there second tally of the game. Jarkko Ruutu took a beautiful pass from Tyler Kennedy and scored a sick "spinarama" goal that left the Senators wondering what would they have to do to gain momentum. It was Ruutu's second career playoff goal and first as a Penguin assisted by Tyler Kennedy. Two minutes later the Senators thought they tied the game again, but upon further review the War Room in Toronto ruled it a non-goal due to Antoine Vermette kicking the puck into the goal. The Senators from that point on never showed life again. The third period was quiet, but Marc-Andre Fleury came up huge when called upon. With under a minute remaining Sidney Crosby ensured the Penguins a second round birth by shooting the puck into the empty net. It was Crosby's second goal this post season and it was unassisted. The game ended 3-1 in favor of the Pens, and the series ended 4-0 in favor of the Pens as well. The Pens won't know who they will play for a few days now which should help forward Gary Roberts nurse his groin injury.
The only Ottawa Senator that wanted to win the series, let alone a game was Martin Gerber. He played outstanding in every game making saves he had no business making leaving a few Penguin players looking up at the rafters wondering "What do I have to do to score a goal?" The Senators "Big Three" in Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatly were pretty much non-existent throughout the entire series making life a living hell for Senators coach Bryan Murray. The Pens on the other hand had excellent goal tending from Marc-Andre Fleury and outstanding play from their "Big Three" in Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa. If the Pens can keep this torrid pace throughout the second round and the rest of playoffs, I have trouble believing that they will lose to anyone in a seven game series. Lets Go Pens!!!
Three Stars:
- Evgeni Malkin-1 goal
- Martin Gerber-31 saves
- Marian Hossa-9 shots on goal
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