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Sidney Crosby's hat-trick chased Craig Anderson in the middle of game two. And, staring down a multi-goal deficit, Ottawa's hopes looked slim for the second time in as many games down in CONSOL.
Robin Lehner, upon insertion, immediately shut the door. The Swedish back-up stopped twenty of twenty-one shots, the only goal coming on a Brenden Morrow marker mere seconds after the expiration of a power-play.
The Morrow goal would turn out to be a lot more important than many anticipated. A second-half surge by Ottawa brought the game within striking distance, relying on a pair of goals from Colin Greening and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Ten minutes to erase the one-goal deficit.
Unfortunately, time ran out.
When his team needed him the most, Tomas Vokoun was again up to snuff, ensuring that Sidney Crosby's trio of goals and a dominant first-half effort would stand-up against a potential Ottawa comeback.
The semi-comeback gives Paul MacLean at least something to build on heading into a pivotal game three on Sunday. For durations of this game, Ottawa was completely outclassed -- and that's probably understating the kind of ice dominance Pittsburgh flexed on 'em in spurts of this game.
I thought two players stood out on the Ottawa end as more-or-less overwhelmed: Erik Karlsson, and Jared Cowen. Two players fresh from long-term injury return, two players who don't seem very confident -- or able -- right now. MacLean took notice: Karlsson's TOI was the lowest since a February '10 game against Vancouver.
But, as has been the case all series long, the Ottawa Senators found their legs later in the game. Some of that's probably score effects and Pittsburgh sitting back, but all game long, I thought the JG Pageau line -- with Erik Condra and ball-and-chain Guillaume Latendresse -- was one of the best on the ice.
MacLean leaned on Pageau's line heavily down the stretch. You know the saying: the best players play.
Which, of course, gives rise to the ultimate question: who gets the net in game three?
Craig Anderson's been the man all year, and you can count on one hand -- maybe two fingers -- the bad games he's played this year. Tonight was one of them.
Robin Lehner was sensational. So many of his stops were of the scoring chance variety; his stonewall of Evgeni Malkin in the slot, and Jarome Iginla on the odd-man rush were vital in keeping Ottawa alive.
Tough decision for Paul MacLean.
Even more so considering the two-game deficit Ottawa's currently looking at.
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