The notion of momentum is often debated in sports. If such a thing exists, the Ottawa Senators owned it heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The 
Pittsburgh Penguins made a strong argument against such notions by coming out strong and grinding out a difficult 3-2 win with five defensemen for most of the game.
Before the game it was revealed that Matt Murray would be between the pipes for the Penguins. Coach Sullivan also added Josh Archibald to the lineup and jumbled line combinations in an attempt to spread physicality throughout the lineup.
The Penguins lineup changes were evident from the start as their forecheck was effective. The Sens countered well until Mike Hoffman was sent off for slashing Phil Kessel, putting the Sens a man down. The Penguins did not score but were able to register a number of shots and their power play looked more effective overall.
The Penguins got a rare breakaway with less than a minute left in the period and Olli Maatta scored on a feed from Sidney Crosby who was helped by Jake Guentzel. Chad Ruhwedel would leave the game (and not return) moments later after being hit high by Bobby Ryan. Ian Cole, responding to the hit, was sent to the box for roughing, giving the Senators a power play with seconds left in the period.
The Penguins began the second on a kill and allowed three shots but Murray but managed to keep the Senators off the board. Cole was sent off again a few minutes later when he was called for interfering with Zack Smith. The Pens managed a couple short handed chances while also killing off the penalty and the crowd responded with disapproval. The Senators power play has yet to register a point in the series.
Halfway through the period Jean-Gabriel Pageau was called for roughing putting the Penguins back on the power play. Crosby beat Craig Anderson near the post, assisted by Guentzel and Kessel. Then the Pens killed another Sens power play when they were caught with too many men on the ice.
Crosby’s power play goal (Video)
Halfway through the second Brian Dumoulin added a goal when he wristed one on net and it bounced off Dion Phaneuf’s skate past Anderson. Cole and Wilson both got helpers on the goal. The Senators added a goal late when Clarke MacArthur redirected a blast from B. Ryan past Murry’s blocker. After two the Pens still led by two.
Dumoulin’s goal off Phaneuf (Video)
MacArthur’s redirect goal (Video)
The third period began with the Senators pressuring in the offensive zone early. Murray was strong keeping them at bay until Tom Pyatt scored on a crazy goal that hit three different players on its way into the net. The goal was assisted by Erik Karlsson and Pageau. With five minutes remaining the Senators only trailed by one point.
The Penguins did their level best to keep the puck in the offensive zone preventing the Senators from pulling Anderson until just over a minute remained. With merely 34 seconds left in the game, the Senators went on a power play when the Penguins were caught with six men on the ice. The Penguins held off a barrage of scoring chances and survived for the 3-2 win tying the series at two games each.
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