Hoffman’s goal helps Senators force Game 7

OTTAWA, Ontario — Mike Hoffman scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period to give the Senators a 2-1 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night and force a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.

Bobby Ryan scored a power-play goal for the Senators, and Craig Anderson stopped 45 shots.

Evgeni Malkin gave the Penguins, vying for their second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the lead early in the second period, and Matt Murray finished with 28 saves. Game 7 is Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The Senators have never won a Game 7 in their history, going 0-for-5 when faced with that situation.

The Penguins, meanwhile, failed to close out a series on their first try for the third time in these playoffs and fifth consecutive time overall.

The Penguins dropped to 10-2 scoring first.

The Senators got the game-winning goal early in the third after holding the Penguins to zero shots on goal for more than six minutes at the start of the final period.

The Senators charged ahead 2-1 on a rocket from Hoffman at 1 minute, 34 seconds, his blast from the top of the left circle going ping-ping-ping before going in. this postseason when

The Predators, the final team into the NHL playoffs, are headed to the first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history. Coach Peter Laviolette insists they won’t just be happy to be there either.

“Our guys know the big picture,” Laviolette said. “They understand what it is that we’re trying to do here. And when that time comes, we’ll be ready.”

Colton Sissons scored a hat trick as the Predators beat the Ducks 6-3 on Monday night in Game 6 of the West finals.