PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators entered Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals knotted at two games apiece. The Penguins, seemingly wanting to make a statement, scored early and often. The Pens dominated in all facets of the game and put up a touchdown against the injury addled Sens. Matt Murray got his first shutout of the series in a 7-0 win that was all Pittsburgh.
Olli Maatta got the scoring going six minutes into the first on a one timer that beat Craig Anderson short side. Maatta was helped by Bryan Rust who was very active coming off an injury. The Senators went on a power play soon after when Matt Cullen was caught tripping Erik Karlsson. The power play became a four on four when (first name) Stone was sent off for slashing.
The four on four expired and the Penguins power play went to work. Trevor Daley sent a one timer on net and Sidney Crosby redirected it past Anderson giving the Pens a two goal lead. Evgeni Malkin and Daley both nabbed assists on the play.
Back at full strength the Penguins continued to pressure in the Ottawa zone. After several close calls for Anderson, Nick Bonino wristed one that Rust redirected into the net, putting the Penguins up by a field goal. Rust was assisted by Carter Rowney and Bonino. Following the goal Anderson was pulled in place of Mike Condon.
Condon faced two shots and Anderson was put back between the pipes. Then Anderson would be chased for good when Scott Wilson grabbed a rebound off the back boards and banked a backhander off Anderson’s leg for a goal. Rowney and Bonino both got helpers on the tally. Pens up by four.
The second began with the Senators having issues gaining the zone and the Penguins clogging up the neutral zone. Matt Cullen made matters worse with a wrister past Condon. The goal was assisted by Mark Streit and Rowney. Karlsson left halfway through the period with an injury and did not return in the game.
The Senators got another power play opportunity at 12:13 when Bonino caught Condon with a high stick. A minute in, the man advantage was nullified when Tommy Wingels went off for holding.
The third period began with the Penguins on a power play. Phil Kessel wasted no time cashing in with a weak side open net goal on a no look back handed feed from Crosby next to the post. Malkin and Croby both received assists.
Midway through the third, Rust was penalized for slashing but once again the Senators negated the power play when Clarke MacArthur was caught holding. The four on four gave way to the potent Penguins power play and they once again capitalized. Trevor Daley sent a one timer on net and Condon was screened by Wilson making the score 7-0 Pens. Malkin and Kessel both got assists on the goal.
The Senators would have another power play at the ten minute mark but failed to score. The Senators finished the game 0-14 on the power play in the series. The Penguins power play went three for three in the game and has been steadily improving.
A number of Penguins contributed to the scoring in the game and the third line played dominant hard hitting hockey all game. The Senators play a much different style of hockey when they hold the lead, so they will be looking to score first when the series heads back to Ottawa on Tuesday. The Penguins will try to continue their success on special teams and hopefully add a few key players back from injury.
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