Senators trying to stay on even keel
Don’t plan the parade route just yet. T he de f e ndi ng Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t quite ready to surrender their title to the Ottawa Senators.
Yes, the Senators wore smiles Sunday less than 24 hours after they knocked off the Penguins by 2-1 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final at the PPG Paints Arena Saturday night, but the Ottawa players are well aware there’s plenty of racetrack left before the club books a trip to the Stanley Cup final.
If the Senators thought the New York Rangers had strong pushback in a 4-1 win in Game 3 of the last series at Madison Square Garden, Ottawa players likely haven’t seen anything yet because the Penguins are going to come out with all guns blazing.
The Senators know it and they’re prepared for it.
“It was scary ( i n New York). It was scary. It wasn’t fun to live,” said coach Guy Boucher Sunday.
“But at least now when I say there’s going to be pushback the guys can imagine it now.
“Before, we talked, ‘ Hey there’s going to be a little pushback’ but it always stays a little fictional because you haven’t lived it.
“We got slapped quite hard in the forehead in that third game in ( New York) and, at least, we have an image of what it could be and ( the pushback) might be even worse because (the Penguins) have such high- end players. They won the Cup, they know how to win and they’re a confident group. You name it, they have it. That’s probably as hard a game as we’re going to get.”
The Senators know they haven’t won anything yet. Through two rounds, Ottawa players have done a good job keeping their eyes in the prize. It’s fair to say the celebrations after beating Boston and New York in the first two rounds weren’t over the top because getting this far isn’t the goal.
“You talk about ( the approach). I think one of them is stay humble and don’t get too ahead of yourself. I think you guys can attest we’re a pretty humble group of guys. I don’t think we let too much go over our head,” said centre Zack Smith.
“It’s not that we’re content to be here. Just happy to make it this far. We want to keep pushing and get better every day. So it’s not really a surprise for us, but keeping a level head has been a big part of that.”
Boucher was impressed with the club’s effort especially when the Penguins were awarded five power plays — including four in the first — and didn’t score on any of them. He noted, though, Ottawa did a good job limiting Pittsburgh chances at even-strength which is why Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel were non-factors.
Evgeni Malkin, who scored the Penguins only goal, was the club’s best player.
“I thought five- on- five we played well. We got 35 shots, and we out shot them even though they got a lot of power plays. I have to give credit to our guys. I think five- on- five, I think we’re double the shots or something like that,” said Boucher.
“We gave ourselves enough ( scoring chances) to create some offence, and we tried to limit them, but the reality is you’re not going to limit those guys to nothing. That’s i mpossible. Those guys are too good. That’s the Stanley Cup Champions. We’re expecting the next game they’re going to be coming out roaring and at their very best.”
That’s why the Senators aren’t in any mood to celebrate.
Part of success in the playoffs is staying on an even keel. There is no question the Senators had the momentum in their favour Sunday but if the Penguins win Monday then it will swing in their direction before the series shifts back to Ottawa for Game 3 Wednesday and Game 4 Friday.
The Senators can’t afford to take anything for granted because they played one good game and, it’s fair to say, they haven’t seen the best from the Penguins and that’s why they’re not focused on shutting down the Crosby or anyone else.
“They’ve got too many tools and players for us to start focusing on particul ar guys or start worrying about them every time they’re on the ice,” Boucher said. “They’re always on the ice. For us, it’s a pack mentality defence, and we did fine with that, but we’re expecting Crosby at his best the next game and Malkin and Kessel and those guys, and it’s going to be very, very, very, very difficult.”
Smith said those two losses at MSG are in the club’s memory banks.
“That just shows you how easily the momentum can turn,” Smith said. “Momentum doesn’t carry over between games. We know that. It’s a whole new game every time you step on the ice. So we’ll be aware of that.”
Yes, there’s still a tough road ahead for the Senators.
I THOUGHT FIVE-ON-FIVE WE PLAYED WELL.