The Ottawa Senators were absolutely out-hustled in Game 1. A complete estimate on part would lead me to believe that Pittsburgh won 70 to 80% of the battles along the boards and in the neutral zone. They simply wanted the puck more than Ottawa and sacrificed their bodies.
Obviously a better effort is needed for the Senators to advance to Round 2 but here are a few encouraging signs from a not very encouraging game:
1. Goaltending: Martin Gerber kept the team in the game. The biggest question in Ottawa come playoff time is always goaltending. However with a 31 save performance in a game largely dominated by Pittsburgh offense, he at the very least gave Ottawa a chance to the win the game. Key saves by Gerber kept the game 2-0 after 40 minutes including 10 saves on one of the best Power Plays in the league.
2. Won the face-off battle: Strong games in the face-off circles by Jason Spezza (75%) and Antoine Vermette (56%) allowed the Sens to at least dictage play for a few seconds. Face-offs are key in close games and hopefully as the series progresses the Senators will win key faces-offs in their zone.
3. Out-worked and not out-skilled: The Penguins won this game by essentially beating Ottawa at their own game. They won the battles down low. They crashed our defence. They forced turn-overs by a strong back-check. Aside from the nice chip passed a pinching Mike Commdore by Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh’s goals were scored on the result of hard work as opposed to dazzling 1-on-1 play or burning someone wide on the rush.
I really hope that Bryan Murray finds the right buttons to push to light a fire under the Senators collective behinds and show a better showing on Friday for Game 2.
