Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Senators defense will challenge Pens
PITTSBURGH — The Penguins spent the first two rounds of the playoffs engaging in high-stakes games of rope-a-dope with the Blue Jackets and Capitals, absorbing some hits, avoiding others and counterpunching brilliantly to get halfway to a second straight Stanley Cup.
A very different challenge awaits in the Eastern Conference final in what amounts to the hockey equivalent of switching from boxing to MMA.
The Senators dominated the Bruins then rallied by the Rangers on the legs of seemingly tireless defenseman Erik Karlsson, the inspirational play of goaltender Craig Anderson and a neutral zone trap designed to frustrate and suffocate opponents in equal measure.
“We can’t make any bold plays in (the middle of the ice),” Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist said. “That’s exactly what they want.”
Rather than pound away like the Blue Jackets and Capitals tried to do against the Penguins, the Senators would rather get in the Penguins’ head. The Senators defense is designed to force the Penguins and their waves of highly skilled playmakers into making sloppy mistakes.
“They’re pretty stingy,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “We’ve got to make good decisions.”
The Senators are well aware they’re not supposed to be here. A year ago they didn’t even make the playoffs, and they aren’t being given much of a chance against the dynamic Cup champions. “No one’s picking us,” forward Clarke MacArthur said. That’s fine by the Senators. And they’re not simply happy to be here.
“We’re very proud of the work that we’ve done but we’ve got lots left,” Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf said.