ECQF Game 2: Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins
After stunning the Penguins and proving their critics wrong, the Ottawa Senators won the first game by a score of 5-4. That gives them a 1-0 lead on the series with a huge win on the road. Will the Senators be able to take a 2-0 lead back to Scotiabank Place, or will the Penguins even up the series? The Senators will have to do it without Milan Michalek, so it'll certainly be an uphill battle.
What are some of the key stories for tonight's game?
The big three
Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Mike Fisher were the Ottawa Senators' top three point-getters in the regular season, but you wouldn't know it from Game One. Not one of them scored in Wednesday's game, although each got an assist. If Ottawa is to have any hope of winning this series, they have to chip in at some point. They can't simply rely on...
The better three
Undeniably the best line of Game One, Chris Neil, Chris Kelly, and Jarkko Ruutu each potted a goal. I don't expect them to do the same tonight, but if they keep hitting the Pens and maintaining possession, they'll still be a huge asset. If they can manage to put one or two in the net, I won't complain.
The terrible two
Both goaltenders were pretty terrible in Game One, combining for 9 goals on 47 shots. Brian Elliot needs to regain his confidence and composure, and put forward a better performance in tonight's game. Either that, or he has to hope Marc-Andre Fleury fails to improve on his terrible rebound control from Game One.
As always, be sure to join in on the conversation in the comments before and after the puck drops. Go Sens!