After a week of rest the Pittsburgh Penguins (24-17-7) hosted the Ottawa Senators (23-21-6) this evening at Consol Energy Center. Sidney Crosby continued his hot streak picking up his ninth hat trick of his career in tonight’s 6-5 win.
Not much defense was seen as a total of 11 goals were scored tonight, but each team was not without their cheap goals. Pittsburgh came out swinging with two early goals, but the Senators continued throughout the game to get the puck behind Marc-Andre Fleury.
Tonight’s scoring is listed below:
First Period Second Period Third Period
Matt Cullen (5) Jean-Gabriel Pageau Sidney Crosby (20)
Hagelin (13), Dumoulin (11) Karlsson (42), Wiercioch (4) Kunitz (12), Hornqvist(17)
OTT 0, PIT 1 | 7:01 OTT 3, PIT 3 | 3:01 OTT 4, PIT 6 | 6:40
Kris Letang (7) Cody Ceci (5) Dave Dziurzynski (1)
Crosby (25), Kunitz (11) Smith (4), Hoffman (18) Ceci (10), Lazar (9)
OTT 0, PIT 2 | 10:54 OTT 4, PIT 3 | 3:25 OTT 5, PIT 6 | 15:50
Mark Stone (12) Sidney Crosby (18)
Smith (3), Pageau (6) Letang (28), Malkin (25)
OTT 1, PIT 2 | 14:50 OTT 4, PIT 4 | 6:10 PPG
Chris Kunitz (9) Sidney Crosby (19)
Unassisted Kessel (17), Malkin (26)
OTT 1, PIT 3 | 16:17 OTT 4, PIT 5 | 16:45 PPG
Chris Wideman (5)
Stone (23)
OTT 2, PIT 3 | 19:29
Crosby Power
Crosby not only notched his ninth career hat trick, but also his 100th power-play goal as well. The captain led the charge tonight looking completely refreshed after the All-Star break. The offense surrounding him tonight also played on another level tonight and needed to.
Although the Senators finished the game with 23 shots, they were able to score often, even going into the final moments of the game. Pittsburgh overloaded Ottawa’s goaltender Craig Anderson with 43 shots, some also coming after a lucky bounce.
The Penguins also found themselves on five power-plays with Crosby finishing both of them. Crosby finished the game with four points, eight shots, and finished with 21:33 of ice time. It is clear Pittsburgh has, offensively, not missed a step.
Just Enough Defense
The Senators came into the game off to a bad start with a 0-2 deficit that they quickly overcame. Pittsburgh’s defense failed in many aspects of the game in keeping the puck out of the net. Just like the Penguins, the Senators ended up getting lucky on a few shots that kept them in the game.
Fleury did not have his most spectacular night. There were a few goals that Ottawa scored that would normally be deflected or trapped by Pittsburgh’s netminder.
The defense did perk up in the late going, keeping the Senators from tying the game late with Anderson pulled from net. Fortunately for the Penguins, Ottawa came within just a pipe’s width away from tying in the final minute.
Final Words
Pittsburgh’s defense did not look stellar tonight, but the offense carried by Crosby looked its best all season. Controlling the tempo and sustaining offensive possessions is what kept Pittsburgh from giving up the lead late.
The Penguins were able to fend off the Senators and continue an impressive winning streak that will keep Pittsburgh in the running for a playoff spot.
What’s Next?
Pittsburgh will travel on the road for their next game to Tampa Bay and face the Lightening this Sunday. The game will begin at 7p.m.
