Penguins vs. Senators Game 2 recap: Pittsburgh holds on to extend series lead
Pittsburgh won 4-3, as Ottawa’s late comeback fell short.
Sidney Crosby scored three times in the first 21:15, and Brenden Morrow’s goal in the second period kept the surging Senators at arm’s length heading into the third.
Ottawa didn't delay their comeback attempt. Jean-Gabriel Pageau continued his strong playoffs debut with a goal just 2:01 into the frame. To be honest, I have no idea what Tomas Vokoun was trying to accomplish by abandoning his net.
Nonetheless, the Penguins kept pressing. Ottawa was outshot 42-22 in the game, and the disparity showed through again in the third. Robin Lehner was brilliant filling in for Craig Anderson, stopping 20 of the 21 shots he faced. His save on Evgeni Malkin in tight was his best of the night.
The Senators pulled Lehner late, but couldn’t break through to tie it.
This is over if Sidney Crosby doesn’t go without a point again, right?
If Crosby gets going, the Senators probably don’t have a way to stop him.
That’s what we said before Game 2, and it couldn’t have been more accurate. Crosby was playing at a ridiculously high level from the first puck drop, and the Senators just couldn’t keep up with him. His hat trick in the first 21:15 was impressive, but so were the countless scoring opportunities he set up throughout the game.
Is Erik Karlsson hurting the Senators more than he’s helping?
It seems that way. Karlsson only played 15:37, by far the least minutes of any other Sens blueliner. He was also on the ice for two of Sidney Crosby's goals. He's definitely playing at a slower pace than the competition.
Will Vokoun keep outplaying Anderson?
Statistically? Yes. Anderson was pulled after giving up three goals on 21 shots. Robin Lehner clearly outplayed Anderson. Vokoun also gave up three goals, and at least two of them looked stoppable. Not his best game.
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