Penguins pile on early to dominate Senators

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins are one win away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

The defending champions pounced on the Senators early in a 7-0 demolition in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday to take a 3-2 series lead. Sidney Crosby scored for a third consecutive game as part of a four-goal first period in which the Penguins twice chased goalie Craig Anderson.

Seven players scored and 11 finished with at least one point. Seemingly on the ropes after getting pummeled 5-1 in Game 3, the Penguins have outscored the Senators 10-2 over the last six periods to gain control.

Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist in his return from a concussion. Olli Maatta and Scott Wilson also beat Anderson in the first period.

Matt Murray stopped 21 shots to win his second straight start following a six-week injury layoff.

Anderson was pulled briefly after the Penguins went up 3-0 in the first and removed for good to start the second period. He stopped 10 of 14 shots on his 36th birthday.

The Penguins appeared to hit their stride during a 3-2 victory in Ottawa on Friday night in Game 4, playing with the kind of speed and intensity that fueled their run to the franchise’s fourth Cup last June. Still, they stressed the importance of finding a way to keep it going in a series that saw the teams alternate wins and losses through the first four games.

The momentum the Penguins generated did more than carry over. It crushed the Senators completely.

GENE J. PUSKAR/AP Senators coach Guy Boucher talks with goaltender Craig Anderson during the Penguins’ four-goal first period.