Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals
When it was announced that the Ottawa Senators would take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals, many hockey fans were shocked that a 98-point team was able to get this far in the first place. This is the fifth time that the two teams will face off in the series, with the Penguins winning the past four series. The Penguins defeated the Senators 4-1 in the 2012-2013 season before getting knocked out in the conference final.
This year, it looks like things are going to be a little different. In the first game, hosted by the Penguins, the Senators surprised everyone by pulling off an upset away win. In Game 2, the Penguins were eager to exact revenge on the Ottawa team, and were able to deliver on their promise. With the series tied at one-all, the third game was the first real test of the Senators strength, resilience and nerves.
The Senators struck first and never stopped applying the pressure. They arrived at the game, ready for action, something that was lacking in Game 2. The Penguins were also to blame for their disorganised defence zone though. It might have had something to do with the two new players joining the defence team since the regulars were out on injuries. In any event, Pittsburgh will have to seriously tighten up their defence in Game 4 if they want a shot at the Finals. For the senators, it was a good team effort with a full 10 players claiming at least one point each.
Senators Holding the Lead
With just two scheduled games to go, we need to look at the strengths of each team in round 1 and 2 that will drive the rest of the playoffs. For Pittsburgh, the team has a lot of star power to back them up including the likes of Phil Kessel, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury should also be thrown into the mix of players that could turn things around for the Penguins. Fleury has faced a lot of shots and holds an impressive save percentage of 0.921, which says a lot for the goalie.
For the Senators, their strengths in round 1 and 2 came from their ability to produce big plays from off-the-radar players. Bobby Ryan is one such player who has come back from a low scoring season with 9 points in just 12 playoff games. The Senators shorthand unit has also shown great promise slotting away 87.5% of all their head-on situations.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Washington Capitals Defeat Golden Knights
For the first time in 44 years, and much to the delight of both the team and the legion of fans, the Capitals have won the Stanley Cup, beating Golden ….
Call for NHL Olympics Boycott
Writer Urges Olympics Boycott of NHL Montreal sports journalist Jack Todd has had enough of the disrespect he reckons the NHL has shown to Canadian ice hockey fans. In a ….
NHL Winter Classic Winners Stumble
Rangers Go Down to Blackhawks at Home Ice hockey fans have been given a bit of a rollercoaster week by the New York Rangers. Wednesday night was a downer, when ….
NHL Winter Classic 10th Anniversary
Celebrating NHL Winter Classic’s Triumphant 10th Birthday When the Buffalo Sabres took on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1, 2008, ….
History Repeats: NHL 100 Classic
NHL 100 Classic Celebrates More Than Hockey Ice hockey fans joined Canada to celebrate its 150th anniversary at the NHL 100 Classic on December the 16, which was also dedicated ….