Can't really find the perfect word to describe this loss.

Terrible.
Stupid.
Disappointing.
Frustrating.

It's terrible because the Pens went from being up 3 games to none to this now potentially becoming a dogfight.

It's stupid because there's no way in Hell you can let a team score a shorthanded goal late to tie it in the final minute, even with the goalie pulled to make it a 5-on-5.

It's disappointing because everyone thought the Isles series was a reminder to the Pens to never let their foot off the gas.

And it's frustrating because Craig Anderson stole this game. Alfreddson's tying goal with under 30 seconds remaining will justifiably be the talk of the town for the next couple days, but the Pens had a total of 87 minutes and 39 seconds to get another one past Anderson, and they just couldn't do it. For a team that has scored 3 or more goals in every game this post-season, they needed that one extra goal somewhere, somehow, and couldn't find it. It's up to the elite set of forwards to find the net one more time. It's been a part of the Pens' recipe for success all season, and when you're missing an ingredient, your dish is gonna taste like shit.

It wasn't for lack of trying; Craig Anderson was just lights-out. This was a goaltending duel the whole way through, with Vokoun showing that he's still nowhere near ready to give the net back to Marc-Andre Fleury. And that's the best takeaway from this game. Vokoun did everything you could ask of him.

Game 4 isn't until Wednesday night, but there's no soul-searching to be done. The Pens played arguably their best game of the playoffs. If Letang is a couple feet to his left and the pass to Alfredsson is deflected away, then everyone is snapping each other in the ass with wet towels until the Conference Finals.

The narrative for this game on the day after is Craig Anderson eliminating the Pens' offense. Hopefully the term "Halak'd" doesn't become a thing. The narrative for this game if the Pens lose this series, however... Yikes.

Recap:

26 seconds away from being up 3-0.

Whoops.

Tough game to have to think about until Wednesday. But such is life. The Pens played a masterful 59 minutes. But with 26 seconds left they had a breakdown while on a powerplay, and Alfie tied it up.

In the first OT Craig Anderson stole the show. ( Basically the whole game)

In the second OT, the Senators stole the win on a Colin Greening goal. Sens win 2-1.

Ugh.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators
Penguins Lead Series 2-0

NBCSN, CBC, RDS - 7:30 pm/et

Scotiabank Place - Ottawa, ON

Game three is a big deal. The venue switches. The teams know each other. And, most importantly, the series often depends on it. At the end of the night the Penguins could have a commanding 3-0 series lead or the Ottawa Senators could be back in it at 2-1.

Spezza returning for the Senators will mean a lot for them. But he hasn't played in some time. Will his return be enough to spark the Senators?

This is a pretty huge deal for the Ottawa Senators. Jason Spezza will be back for game three. From the Montreal Gazette:

It might be a lot to ask, but the Ottawa Senators are hopeful Jason Spezza will be just what they need to get back into their playoff series with Pittsburgh.

Spezza, who hasn't played since January 27 after undergoing back surgery for a herniated disc, will draw into Ottawa's lineup Sunday for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series that the Penguins lead 2-0.

"I'm excited to have a chance to play again," said Spezza. "I feel ready to play."

The 29-year-old will immediately add depth to a struggling offence and power play.

Spezza could drastically improve the Senators' fortunes.

Game One saw Evgeni Malkin making moves.

Because Benstonium is the best:

The Penguins did everything they needed to do in this game. They didn't get great goaltending from Tomas Vokoun, but they got timely goaltending with Vokoun making two huge saves late in the second period.

Crosby scored three goals, Brenden Morrow gets credit with the game winner. The Pens are now up 2-0 in the series as it shifts to Ottawa on Sunday night at 7:30.

Recap later. If you missed them here are the gifs of Crosby's first and third goals.