Game #23 - vs Ottawa Senators

2011-12 Game 23

Ottawa Senators (10-9-2, 22 points) at Pittsburgh Penguins (12-6-4, 28 points)

Foligno has 6 goals, but his shooting percentage (almost 19%) is probably unsustainable.

Why does it matter?

After the slow start against the Blues, the Pens need to get back to playing 60 minutes of hockey.  They also need to get two points under their belt before going out on the road for six of the next seven games.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - The Blues showed the Pens how to deliver a physical beat down.
• Senators - A successful trip through western Canada, with five points out of six earned.

Questions to be answered

• Which Sid will we see?  I don't think there was much difference between the first two games in terms of effort, but the results were vastly different.
• Will we see Joe Vitale in an effort to bring more speed and grit?  Richard Park isn't quite as physical...

Keys to the game

• The power play.  The Sens will put you on the power play, and their PK isn't all that great.  The Pens have a clear advantage here.
• Pin them in.  The Sens have some guys with some nice numbers (Milan Michalek has 12 goals), but they're minus players, which tells me they're susceptible to defensive letdowns.  Get the puck deep and go to work.
• No Chris Neil, but still keep an eye out for overly physical nonsense from some of the Sens on Sid and Geno.