Playoff Game #3 - at Ottawa Senators

Playoff Game 3

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators

Series tied 1-1

Why does it matter?
Remember how the Senators wanted to win one game in Pittsburgh? The Penguins can undo all of that damage today with a win in Ottawa. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that a win today would be a big dagger in the Sens chances in the series.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Game 2 was more reflective of recent Penguins playoff hockey.
  
• Senators - They can't be feeling good about their chances unless they can find a way to ramp up the offense.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens keep up the physical pace they set in Game 2?
• Will HCDB be able to avoid the Phillips / Volchenkov match up? Better yet, do they care about avoiding it?
• Can Flower put together strong starts in back to back games?

Keys to the game

• Withstand the storm - the Sens are going to bring it early in the game. Get through the first 10 minutes and then go to work.
• Keep hitting - even if the Sens can match up better, that sets up well for the Pens with Kunitz and Guerin being able to forecheck, and punish, Phillips and Volchenkov.
• Second line scoring - Geno's line needs to produce at even strength if the Sens get the match up they want with Sid's line.