Playoff Gameday: Pittsburgh Penguins & Ottawa Senators - Round Two, Game Three
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?
Add a commentJason Spezza will be back for Game Three
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.
Add a commentRECAP: GAME TWO. Your Punishment Must Be More Severe. PENS WIN.
Game One saw Evgeni Malkin making moves.
Game Two?
Sidney.
Effing.
Crosby.
Crosby registered his second career playoff hat trick, and the Pens hung on to win 4-3. If you could sue players for embarrassing you, Erik Karlsson would have like eight lawsuits against Crosby.
Game Two is always about taking a team's best shot after you beat them in Game One. The Senators didn't really get a chance to throw any punches, though. Craig Anderson, who was heavily lauded before the series, got sent to the showers early. If it wasn't for Robin Lehner, the Senators may have been blown out. Two of the best players in the game at their respective positions went head to head, and Crosby prevailed over Anderson.
At the other end, Tomas Vokoun didn't have his best game, but he made two huge saves on breakaways in the second period.
And get ready for the Senators to start complaining about officiating. The Pens had six power plays to the Senators' two.
Recap:
QUICK CAP: Pens win 4-3. Up 2-0 going back to Ottawa
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.
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