Playoff Game #2 - vs Ottawa Senators

Playoff Game 2

Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins

Ottawa leads series 1-0.

Why does it matter?
The Pens badly need a win at home to even the series before going back to Ottawa on Sunday. The hole has been dug - now the Pens have to find a way out of it.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - An inconsistent effort in Game 1 that left most disappointed.
  
• Senators - They have to be feeling like they stole Game 1, given how shaky Elliot was. They did lose Michalek for the rest of the series, which will further reduce their depth.

Questions to be answered

• How long is the leash on Flower? Can you get away with yanking him in the playoffs given how often he was yanked this year?
• Can the Pens lock down the PK? I know one of the Sens power play goals was a fluke, but still, they netted two in three chances. That's the game right there.
• How will the Pens respond to adversity?

Keys to the game

• Don't lose focus.
• Step up the energy level and keep it going for 60 minutes, especially on the dump and chase (which is necessary because of their trap).
• Don't be too worried. Four goals against a team playing the trap will win the game most times. Lock down the defense a bit and keep going.