I panic about missing the first 15 minutes of this game. I panic about what the hockey gawds might have in store for me, as punishment. As it turns out, the Senators have just begun to re-assert themselves offensively after giving up two 5-on-3 opportunities. The rest of the period is spent on trying to spend more time in their zone.

The Senators have the habit of winning games in the second period. Heatley scores on a feed from Alfredsson, slipping the puck in before Fleury realizes what's going on. Usually, when the Senators are up by only 1, it feels like a tie. I feel like it might as well be, because the Penguins surely, surely will score another opportunistic goal to tie this baby up. Not so tonight. It felt over. It felt like the start of a barrage. And the barrage did come: Vermette scored on a breakaway, tucking the puck in between Fleury's legs. The look on his face after he scored was pure relief: Antoine's been dry for a while now, although he's logged quality defensive minutes. Then, another unlikely scorer, Chris Kelly, with the anticipation of a natural goal scorer, beat a sprawled Fleury cleanly. It's beautiful.

The third period is lights out: the Penguins are still flopping on the deck, hopeful for anything the Senators may give them. Nothing. Go home, Pittsburgh. Gary Roberts, meanwhile, spitefully makes the heart of all Sens fans drop as Volchenkov limps up from his hit. Anton, with a braved face, would return. I am pretty sure that more than one Sens fan had the intention of literally hunting Roberts down had Volchenkov not bravely (maybe unwisely?) returned. By the time the scoreboard hits 2 minutes, the Penguins know their time is up. They've had their Versus ad. Crosby's done enough post-game conferences. It's over.

Scotiabank Places erupts into a frenzy of pom-poms, cheers and hugs. As the players line up for hugs, almost every Senator player shows a gesture of affection towards Crosby: an extra tap, an extra wide smile. Chris Neil treats gives Gary Roberts props like they are old schoolyard chums.
Bob Cole calls Sidney Crosby his "son" and predicts a bright future for him. CBC's camera ruefully follows Crosby as he disappears into the dark corridor, before they finally discuss the Senators. Even as they interview Daniel Alfredsson, an evaluation of "The Next One" is the last request.

The game was perfect.

From two amazing 5-on-3 penalty kills in the beginning of the game, to the way the power-play came together and opportune scoring, to the lights off hockey in the third period. I mean, utter perfection. This was the other level of play I hoped for yesterday. I didn't bite my fingers much because there was the palpable feeling, from staring at every determined player on the bench, that Pittsburgh would not be winning this game, come hell or Maurice Richard's second coming. The crowd buzzed all night, teasing out Robert's name ironically and waving those black and red pom-poms like the Senators' lives depended on it.

The Good
Perfection. Surely there isn't too much to ask for every night in the playoffs.

Ray Emery. 3 goals, 4 goals, 2 goals, 1 goal, 0 goals. He just looks more comfortable in there, making the big saves when needed and being absolutely confident.

Wade Redden. Finally. FINALLY! Glad to see the real Redden back. Much more assertive on the puck, even threw out a few hits. He made a great pass to hit Mike Comrie on a breakaway.

Chris Kelly. "There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando ..." No offense to Kelly, but he was probably the last player you expected to have such a fantastic playoff series in terms of offensive production, based on the regular season alone.

Phillichenkov. I haven't really mentioned them before, but maybe it's because their game is precisely what I expected. Anton Volchenkov, not one to embelish hits, takes a nasty one from Gary Roberts, only to return within 10 minutes. You could colour in the rainbow with all the bruises on his body. And Phillips -- he has been and probably will always be our most consistent playoff warrior. He was probably the most visible player that the Penguins' offense saw.

Rest. Sweet, sweet rest for Patrick Eaves, Dany Heatley and Anton Volchenkov. Dany Heatley is probably playing injured: even on the goal that he scored, he hesitated to move his feet too much.

The Bad
No Sens hockey for at least the next few days. :(

POST-GAME
Round 2! Round 2!

Right now, the permutations are as follows:

If the Sabres win,
and the Devils win,
then the Senators will play the Devils.

If the Sabres win,
and the Lightning win,
then the Senators will play the Rangers.

If the Sabres lose,
and the Devils win,
the Senators will play the Rangers.

If the Sabres lose,
and the Lightning win,
the Senators will play the Islanders.

I'm still marvelling at our play in this series. I thought this series would go to 6, at the very least. I'm happy that all Crosby talk will now be associated with his shut-down by Phillichenkov.

Labels: antoine vermette, anton volchenkov, chris kelly, chris phillips, march of the penguins, pittsburgh penguins, ray emery, round one, wade redden