We caught up with the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena late Saturday afternoon, which could be a key late-season matchup considering these two teams are only 3 points apart in the standings. duel.
game review
The Senators had a strong first period against the Penguins, with Tyler Craven opening the scoring three minutes into the game. Shane Pinto scored five minutes into the game to take a 2-0 lead. The next 14 minutes of the first period were fairly quiet until Pinto scored his second goal of the game, this time on a penalty kick to extend the Senators' lead to three points. Entering the first intermission.
Sean Pinto
First member of the Senators to score a PP goal while shorthanded since Milan Michalek on March 6, 2012#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/dUfojoMSky
— Sportsnet Statistics (@SNstats) January 11, 2025
The Senators once again wasted no time in extending their lead in the second quarter. Drake Batherson scored 41 seconds into the second period for the Senators' second power-play goal. The Senators will continue to dominate. Tim Stutzler scored the Senators' fifth goal of the game seven minutes into the second period.
At this point, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan decided to change the goaltender as Alex Nedelkovic was exceeding expectations by allowing 2.82 goals against on 12 shots. Since then, Tristan Jarry has shut out the Senators. However, as the Senators played conservatively, he only had to make 5 saves and only had 3 shots on target in the third period en route to a 5-0 win, while Levi Merilainen finished with 30 saves Block.
The Senators scored five goals on just 22 shots. This was a low volume and physical hockey game, with 16 free throws in the first 40 minutes. While it wasn't a turning point, the Senators' high-powered offense had a big role in the game, scoring on two of their four scoring chances. By comparison, the Penguins had a minus-1 power play rating on the night, gave up one goal while shorthanded, and were shut out on six power play attempts.
The win puts the Senators one point behind the Penguins, who are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild-card playoff spot. These two teams will meet again this season, and if these two teams can find some consistency in the second half of the season, this could be a key matchup for a playoff spot.
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