Ottawa Senators

Power play lets down Senators in 3-2 loss, Pens tie series 2-2
May 20, 2017, 9:50 AM ET [18 Comments]
Jared Crozier
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Early in the playoffs, the Ottawa Senators power play looked bad, but it managed to come up with some timely goals. Now, it just looks bad.

Since Ryan Dzingel scored with the man advantage in game 1 against the Rangers, the Senators haven't scored a power play goal. That is a 9 game stretch consisting of 25 opportunities.

Guy Boucher said the other day that you don't need to have a great power play to succeed in the playoffs. But it would certainly help. The Senators went 0-for-4 with the man advantage in game 4, including a last minute gift too many men on the ice penalty giving them a 6-on-4 advantage with a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but were unable to generate much on Matt Murray.

As a result, the Penguins tied the series, and this one will go at least 6 games.

And, Sidney Crosby has woken up as well. The Pittsburgh captain, who had been held to a single point in the first three games, had a goal and an assist in game 4 to spark his team to victory.

When the Penguins gained the lead, they played their own version of a trap and held the Senators at bay. Ottawa got out to a strong start, but couldn't capitalize on chances as Murray, making his first playoff start, held strong and kept them at bay while his team gave him three goals to work with, a total that Marc-Andre Fleury never got in his time in the net this series.

At the other end, Craig Anderson wasn't quite as sharp as he was in the first three games, as the got caught cheating pass on the first goal, leaving space short side for Olli Maatta and on the second goal his pad came off the post leaving a spot for Crosby to poke home a rebound (aided by a backchecking Victor Stalberg). He had no chance on the third goal, that was going well wide on a shot by Brian Dumoulin before going in off the skate of Dion Phaneuf.

Ottawa made a valiant comeback, getting a goal from Clarke MacArthur late in the second to get some energy into the building, and then Tom Pyatt with five minutes left to make things interesting but they couldn't find the equalizer.

Erik Karlsson is far from 100% and that is most noticable in his lack of attempts to lead the rush. He is moving the puck and passing up opportunities to skate with it when he usually would if he were healthier. That takes away some of the Senators' strength in transition, and removes one of the dimensions where he can be so effective. He is still playing very well defensively and is a force at the blue line, but his biggest asset is being hampered. He showed it a bit during the waning minutes as they pressed for the equalizer, but it was far from his usual dynamic speed and elusiveness.

Pittsburgh's already depleted defense took another hit as Bobby Ryan's hit on Chad Ruhwedel knocked the blueliner out of the game. Ryan was probably fortunate not to be called for a penalty on the play, and it incensed Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, because not only was a high stick on Ruhwedel missed moments before Ryan's hit, but Ian Cole got the only penalty for jumping in to confront Ryan in support of his blueline partner.

So what could have been a commanding 3-1 series lead is now tied and a best of 3 with the Penguins holding home ice advantage. A lot was made heading into Friday's game that the Penguins were 4-1 after a loss in these playoffs. Well, the Senators have also bounced back admirably, holding a similar 4-1 record in games following a loss. Sunday is also an afternoon game, which the Senators have been pretty successful in the playoffs so far. Ottawa is 4-0 in 3:00 pm starts (2 each against Boston and New York), while the Penguins have yet to have a start earlier than 6 PM.

Go Senators!!!

You're not out camping this long weekend?

lol...I am working all weekend, wish i was able to get out and enjoy some of this weather, but the black flies are now out...and they are hungry.....so...I don't think it will be that nice camping this weekend anyways