/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59301293/943217976.jpg.0.jpg)
Pregame
The Penguins (46-29-6) returned home from Columbus last night following a thrilling 5-4 OT win. Waiting for them were the lowly Ottawa Senators (28-41-11). Even in Game 82, the Penguins had something to fight for: home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. All they needed was a single point to reach that goal.
Lineups:
Lined up and ready to play.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 6, 2018
The final regular season game is here!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/Csywm8AZ4W
Here's a look at the #Sens projected line-up for tonight's game in Pittsburgh.
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 6, 2018
LINE-UP NOTES: https://t.co/sqKaIqVzzB pic.twitter.com/sTs4ysTLnc
1st Period
45 seconds into the game, Sidney Crosby was sprung on a breakaway, but Craig Anderson would have none of it and would keep the game in a scoreless tie.
With 8:17 left in the first period, Evgeni Malkin was penalized for slashing and cross-checking Zack Smith. The double-minor would be wiped out, as Ottawa was caught with too many men on the ice with 18 seconds left on the the man-advantage.
The Penguins’ time with the power-play was uneventful. With 5 seconds left on the PP, Patric Hornqvist was penalized for slashing, giving the Sens another power-play.
The Senators had 44 seconds left on their third power-play, but Ryan Dzingel was called for high-sticking Riley Sheahan. This penalty was a double-minor.
The period would come to an end and the Penguins would take 2:37 of carryover power-play time into the second period. Scoreless after 20 minutes.
Stats after period one:
Here's a look at your #OTTvsPIT stats after the 1st period of play. pic.twitter.com/mmajAFQKcj
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
2nd Period
At 1:25, Sidney Crosby banked the puck off Anderson to take a 1-0 lead on the power-play.
Sidney Crosby: one of the most creative goal scorers pic.twitter.com/uAsio9lI3q
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
At 5:26, Josh Jooris was hooked while he was driving to the net. Ottawa’s Filip Chlapik was the culprit. This penalty was killed. But right as the power-play ended, Jake Guentzel banked another shot right off the pad of Anderson to go up 2-0.
Hmm... We've seen something like this before... Nice goal, @jakenbake20! pic.twitter.com/QO2qs9VjKc
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
Right after the goal, Brian Dumoulin was high-sticked by Mike Hoffman, giving Pittsburgh another chance on the power-play. The penalty would be killed by the Senators.
With 8 minutes left in the second frame, Carl Hagelin was called for boarding Ben Harpur. The Penguin PKers would get the game back to 5v5 with their 2-0 lead still intact.
For the sixth time on the night, the Penguins were sent to the power-play. Alexandre Burrows was cited for tripping Jake Guentzel.
The horn sounded to end the second period with the Penguins taking a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Stats after two:
Here are your stats through 40 minutes. Let's keep it up! pic.twitter.com/rObzs39cQX
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
3rd Period
The Pens brought 57 seconds of power-play time with them into the third and final period. The Burrows penalty expired with no goal to show for it.
The period’s pace died down until the 6:55 mark. Craig Anderson lost his footing and Phil Kessel would bury his 34th goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-0.
KESS-GOAL!
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
Phil Kessel has 7 points in his last 4 games (4G-3A)... NBD. pic.twitter.com/cDouyWp8d5
Time continued to bleed from the clock, as both teams were eager for the game to end for two very different reasons.
With 3:07 left, Sidney Crosby delivered the puck to Patric Hornqvist to score the fourth goal of the game.
That's goals in FIVE STRAIGHT GAMES for Patric Hornqvist.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2018
Box score: https://t.co/wkiCINOaGT pic.twitter.com/rc1itUQCPD
The final horn sounded and the Penguins would take the final game of the regular season by a score of 4-0.
Final Thoughts
- The second seed in the Metropolitan Division officially belongs to the Penguins. It’ll be nice to have the home-ice advantage for the first round, considering the Penguins won 30 games at PPG Paints Arena this season.
- The extra days of rest will certainly help the team ahead of Game 1 on either Wednesday or Thursday. Let’s hope Derick Brassard is all set to go as well.
- It’s also a positive sign that (to my knowledge) no one suffered any major injuries against the Senators.
- Casey DeSmith was very solid tonight. Stopping all 35 shots he faced to earn his first NHL shutout.
- Enjoy the ride, Pens fans. It’s not often a team has a chance at three straight Stanley Cups. The next time the puck is dropped, the journey will begin. #3lieve.
Loading comments...