Pens hold post-season edge on Sens
Eastern Conference series is shaping up as showdown between captains Crosby and Karlsson
A breakdown of the Eastern Conference final between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. ‘C’ Stands For Conn
While the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and the Sens’ Erik Karlsson both wear the stitched C on their jerseys as the captains of their respective teams, keep in mind that Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP a year ago while Karlsson is considered by many to be the front-runner through the first two rounds this time around.
Sinister Sid?
Sid the Kid certainly will occupy the role as villain among Senators fans after his slash on Marc Methot left the finger of the Ottawa defenceman dangling and bloodied in a March 23 game at the Canadian Tire Centre. Both Crosby and Karlsson said there was no intent to injure on the play; rabid Sens backers aren’t so sure. Methot fortunately has returned to play 11 games in this post-season.
Repeat Offenders?
The Penguins are eight victories away from becoming the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings.
Do You Be-Leaf?
When Brendan Shanahan took over as Maple Leafs president, two of the most prominent victims of his subsequent housecleaning were Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, who both ended up being traded. Now the Pens’ Kessel and the Sens’ Phaneuf find themselves facing each other in the Eastern Conference final. What a difference a couple of years make.
Playoff History
(Penguins lead all-time series 3-1) 2006-07: Sens defeat Penguins 4-1 in Eastern Conference quarter-final.
2007-08: Penguins defeat Sens 4-0 in Eastern Conference quarter-final.
2009-10: Penguins defeat Sens 4-2 in Eastern Conference quarter-final.
2012-13: Penguins defeat Sens 4-1 in Eastern Conference quarter-final.
Head To Head
Forwards: The Sens have been getting contributions from all over the lineup, with Mark Stone starting to heat up, Bobby Ryan rediscovering his scoring touch and Jean-Gabriel Pageau torching the Rangers for four goals in Ottawa’s dramatic overtime win in Game 2 of the second round series against New York. But when it comes to difference makers, we can’t go against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Edge: Penguins Defence: If Kris Letang was healthy, this might be a different story. But the way he is playing right now, Karlsson is the best defenceman on the planet and can almost single-handedly lead his team past a playoff opponent. Just ask the Rangers. Edge: Sens Goal: Craig Anderson spent much of the regular season understandably concentrating on his wife’s battle with cancer, while Marc-Andre Fleury found himself often sitting on the bench behind Matt Murray. Come playoff time, however, both have overcome their personal adversities and been outstanding. Edge: Even Special Teams: Sens PP (14.6 per cent), PK (87.5 per cent); Pens PP (21.6 per cent), PK (87.5 per cent). Sens penalty killing percentage was helped out by a brutal Rangers power play. Karlsson is the ultimate power play quarterback, but the Pens man advantage can be lethal whenever you can put Crosby, Malkin and Kessel on the ice together. Edge: Slight one to Pens. Coaching: Guy Boucher has gone 4-1 in five NHL post-season series during his NHL coaching career, accruing an impressive won-lost record of 19-11 in the process. Through it all, he has brought defence back to Ottawa. As for Mike Sullivan, he brought the Cup back to Pittsburgh last spring. For that, he gets the nod. Edge: Slight one to Pens. Intangibles: Yes, the Pens are defending champs. But think what the Sens have overcome to get here. Anderson and his wife’s valiant fight, one that has made the Sens goalie a finalist for the Masterton Trophy. Former GM Bryan Murray’s battle against cancer. Clarke MacArthur’s inspiring return after missing almost two full seasons with concussions.