Entering the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins, two storylines are likely to run through the entirety of the matchup.
Stanley Cup playoffs 2013, Penguins vs. Senators Game 1: Time, TV schedule and more
The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will begin play in the semifinal round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night.
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The first involves the animosity between the two clubs. The second involves the Penguins’ tumultuous goaltending situation. Both center on drama.
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With Erik Karlsson's lacerated Achilles tendon acting as the catalyst of the perceived feud between the clubs, everyone is going to be paying attention to the potential meeting of Karlsson and Matt Cooke. Cooke was the one who lacerated Karlsson. In the eyes of many in the Ottawa organization, the act was committed on purpose. In fact, owner Eugene Melnyk commissioned a forensic investigation to prove it.
Common sense says it was a hockey play gone bad. However, that hasn’t stopped Ottawa from collectively turning Cooke into public enemy No. 1. While the accusation is unfortunate (and defamatory), the series’ intensity level might be better off for it.
In the more grounded debate about the Penguins' goaltending, Tomas Vokoun was selected as the starter of Game 1 over Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury drastically declined after his shutout in Game 1 of the quarterfinals, which culminated in a stunningly poor performance in Game 4. Head coach Dan Bylsma decided to go with Vokoun in Game 5 and ultimately Game 6, which resulted in consecutive wins for the Penguins.
Despite theories stating otherwise, Bylsma decided to stick with the hot hand for the start of Round 2.
How will Vokoun perform?
He managed to calm the Penguins’ goaltending situation in the first round. In his lone start of the season against Ottawa, Vokoun allowed one goal on 35 shots on the way to a 3-1 Pittsburgh win.
Will there be any carryover between Cooke and Karlsson?
According to Karlsson, he’s moved on from the incident. Cooke has been attempting to do so since it happened. Regardless, it still begs the question of whether another member of the Senators is going to attempt to temper Cooke. Especially in the event the two are on the ice at the same time.
Will Ottawa manage more than one goal?
In three regular season meetings, Pittsburgh defeated Ottawa all three times. The Senators were held to a single goal in two contests and scored two in the other.
Game time: 7:30 p.m., ET
TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN
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