Penguins Fail to End Series At Home Against Senators

Unfortunately, I did not get to watch the whole game as I had to work a particularly long day today.  I missed the first period.  From the point that I started watching until the end of regulation, I thought the Pens dominated.  The overtime period was a little bit different with the Senators showing more determination. Ottawa actually got some good goaltending and just a sh**load of blocked shots. In fact, the Senators had more blocked shots than they took shots on goal.  (46 Blocked shots – 44 Shots on goal)  You have to give Ottawa credit, they played well and showed a great deal of resolve.

One thing I noticed myself thinking during the course of this game was how each time the Senators had a shot or scoring chance, it feels like there is a chance the puck will go in.  I lack the kind of confidence in Fleury that I had last year.  I am not saying that this game was in any way his fault, but that is the feeling I was having as I watched tonight.  He has played inconsistent for much of the season, leading to my reduced confidence.  With that said, I thought he played well tonight.  In fact, I gain a bit more confidence with each game.  I still think he is our man and will get back to the form we saw last year.

Notes:

• Ponikarovsky played well again tonight.  He did not show up on the score sheet, but had probably his best all around game.
• Billy Guerin showed a little extra jump in his step tonight.
• Just for the record, Fedotenko, who Krundle pointed out as having the worst +/- rating on the team, was a -2 tonight.  In his defense his whole line was -2, inlcuding Selke finalist Jordan Staal.
• The referees have to be extra drained tonight…..and not just because of the overtimes.

Looks like the Pens will have to saw this series off in Ottawa.