This is what the playoffs are all about.
The Pittsburgh Penguins held a 1-0 lead and played a strong defensive third period for the first 19:31. But a shorthanded goal from Daniel Alfredsson tied the game and the Ottawa Senators won in double overtime by score of 2-1.
Both teams took a scoreless tie into the second period and almost went into the second intermission with a deadlock as well. But Tyler Kennedy scored his second goal of the playoffs with 1:07 remaining in the second to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Matt Cooke forced a turnover then found Tyler Kennedy in the slot. Kennedy’s shot hit off the right post and behind Craig Anderson who had been spectacular leading up to that point.
The goal was a long time coming for the Penguins who failed to capitalize on a brief 5 on 3 power play at the beginning of the second period.
The Penguins attempted to grind down the Senators in the third period and escape with a 1-0 win. Chris Neil had a wide open opportunity but was robbed by the right pad of Tomas Vokoun as he stuck it out in desperation.
With the Penguins getting a power play with 1:27 remaining in the game, it looked like Pittsburgh would skate away with a 1-0 win. But the Senators came back and scored shorthanded with 29 seconds left in the game.
Milan Michalek took a long pass from Sergei Gonchar and crossed the blue line. The Penguins had four players back but none of them picked up Daniel Alfredsson who was driving to the net. Michalek centered for Alfredsson who deflected the puck past the glove side of Vokoun.
In the first overtime, Evgeni Malkin was electrifying.
Malkin made four moves to split the defense and almost scored on the backhand attempt. The Senators had a few chances in front of Vokoun but the defense, headlined by Paul Martin, cleared all lose pucks. After twenty minutes, the game approached double overtime.
In the opening minutes of the second overtime, both teams traded power play chances only to have them both killed. But the Senators came right back and got a goal from Colin Greening to cut the series lead to 2-1 Penguins.
Andre Benoit took a cross-ice pass from Erik Condra and rifled a shot on goal. Vokoun made the initial save but the rebound came to Greening who poked into the net.
Game 4 will be played on Wednesday night in Ottawa.
- The last time the Penguins lost a multiple overtime game was in 2010 against the Ottawa Senators in Game 5.
- Pittsburgh is 0 for their last 10 in power plays with a shorthanded goal against.
- The Penguins lost their first road overtime playoff game since May 5th, 2001 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Three Stars
- Colin Greening
- Craig Anderson
- Tomas Vokoun
Photo courtesy of Sportsnet Canada
