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Pens and Sens Recap: Pittsburgh blows 3rd period lead, loses in shootout

The Pittsburgh Penguins score once in regulation and never again, losing 2-1 in a shootout to the Ottawa Senators

By Hooks Orpik
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Pregame

With no Jake Guentzel (concussion) it's Josh Archibald 's turn on the yo-yo to sling back from the AHL. Defense and goalie remain the same from last game.

1st period

Not too much going on, Alex Burrows acting like a dirtbag but that's not news. Tommy Wingels hits Matt Cullen a little late and Frank Corrado steps up and bear hugs him so at least there's something of standing up for a guy.

Penguins get a power play, don't score. Erik Karlsson hits a cross-bar with extreme prejudice soon after. No dice for him.

Period ends, shots 10-8 Pittsburgh. Interesting things that have happened are like the score, 0-0.

2nd period

The Senators get their first power play when Oskar Sundqvist trips a guy but the best scoring chance comes from Nick Bonino, who is denied by Mike Condon.

Pittsburgh gets a double-minor when Scott Wilson is cut with a high-stick. Nicky Bones makes them pay, scoring his 7th goal in the last 9 games to get the Pens on the board. Bar down. 1-0. Nice job by Kunitz too in front of the net to take some sight away.

Shots 22-20 overall in favor of the Pens.

3rd period

The refs call Matt Cullen on some ticky-tack and then the fake ass 68 Mike Hoffman snipes Murray short-side on a shot it looks like he never saw thanks to Cole taking some vision away. 1-1.

Shots 30-29 Pittsburgh as we go to OT.

Overtime

Pageau gets a shot from in front, Murray strong. Pens put unlimited pressure on but Condon holds. And just like that it's a skills competition.

Shootout

Kyle Turris goes first, rips one past Murray's glove...Bonino tries for the Pens, no dice.

Bobby Ryan next for the Pens, backhand, forehand, goal....Sid goes to keep the game alive, can't.

Some Thoughts

  • Big change in the game when Crosby slashed Marc Methot in the hand, he would leave the game. Methot was the dude who hip-checked Crosby into Pascal Dupuis' knee, starting the events that would lead to blood clots that would end Dupuis' career.
  • Feisty game, Senators look confident and comfortable in coach Guy Boucher's passive defensive systems. Wouldn't think they're going to be an easy out in the playoffs, especially since they didn't have one of their best players in Mark Stone (injury) tonight.
  • Not that Pittsburgh will feel sorry for that with all their injuries. Gotta keep digging and try to find a way and hope the report gets better sooner or later.
  • Ian Cole was really good in the first period, all around the ice. Stealing pucks, bodying guys up. Jumping in the play offensively. He was all over the place looking spry and active. Not usual words to describe him, but worth it.
  • Frankie Corrado with perhaps his most impactful young Penguin moment, dropping gloves (but just hugging it out) with a Senator who dared to hit Cullen. Nice to see him step up for a vet, but taking coincidental minors means 4 on 4 play and extra space for the extra dangerous Erik Karlsson. Big picture, not the greatest idea, but in the moment, can't knock it.
  • Brian Dumoulin has also picked it up and been very solid recently.
  • Stinks to lose and only score a goal, but with this beatup lineup it's tough to expect a ton. Would be great to see guys like Kessel and Hornqvist and Kunitz give a little more. Seems like if Crosby doesn't create something or Bonino doesn't bury something, the Penguins don't have a lot of other scoring opportunities being created at the moment. A bit understandable but still need a little more from non 13 and 87 players right now.
  • Scoreboard watching wasn't great for the Pens either. The Caps and BJ's did the last thing you would want as a Pens fan - they went to OT. Caps won in a shootout there, so they gain 1 point on the night on both Columbus and Pittsburgh.

To make matters worse, the Islanders have been sitting in Pittsburgh today, just waiting for the Penguins to arrive. They'll play tomorrow. Gotta gut out another one and try to find a way to keep pace again with the other teams in the division.

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