Jean-Gabriel Pageau only had 12 goals during the regular season for the Senators, but has eight already this postseason, including tonight’s first goal. Evgeni Malkin got the Penguins back into the game with a deflection off a Chris Kunitz shot with 5:35 remaining in the third period. Malkin’s goal was his sixth of the playoffs and his team-leading 19th point. Bobby Ryan was the hero as he added points on both of Ottawa’s goals, and scored the game winner five minutes into overtime. Pittsburgh was hurt by its lack of special teams success. The power play went 0-for-5, including almost a minute of 5-on-3 play in the first period. Ottawa will head back to PPG Paints Arena looking to take Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday evening.
Senators Beat Penguins In Game 1 Of Eastern Conference Finals
Craig Anderson
After playing only 40 regular season games while dealing with his wife’s cancer, Anderson has started every one of the Sens 13 playoff games, and has been spectacular throughout. He kept a clean sheet through nearly 55 minutes before Evgeni Malkin scored to tie it. He was solid in overtime and recorded his third straight victory.
Bobby Ryan
Bobby Ryan was buzzing all around the ice tonight and was rewarded with two points including the game-winner in overtime. He posted a positive Corsi for percentage at 51.85% during his 17 minutes on the ice. He bettered his draft mate Sidney Crosby in Game 1 and will need to continue to do so if the Senators are going to win the series.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
After scoring just 12 goals in the regular season, Pageau has come to life this postseason, scoring his eighth goal of the playoffs to open the scoring tonight. Having a reliable secondary scoring source is going to be key for the Senators to win the series, and Pageau seems to be ready to accept the challenge
Penguins Come Up Just Short at Home
Sidney Crosby
In a match-up of the top-two picks of the 2005 NHL Draft, Crosby came up short on his end against Bobby Ryan. Although Crosby had a better Corsi for percentage at 56.25% he only had two shots on goal and zero points. Sid the Kid will need to be stronger for Pittsburgh to rebound in the series.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Marc-Andre Fleury has always seemed to be a solid, yet unspectacular goaltender who came through when it mattered most. He played up to that billing most of Game 1. He didn’t have any saves that wowed, but he was solid. Even in the loss, he was the best player on the ice for Pittsburgh.
Evgeni Malkin
Throughout the first two series of the year’s postseason, Malkin has by far been the best player for Pittsburgh. He continued that form in Game 1 by scoring his team’s only goal, which was his sixth of the postseason and his 19th point which leads all NHL players. He’s going to need help from his teammates if the Penguins hope to go back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Main Photo
