It was all about Sidney Crosby Friday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals. Crosby scored his second career Stanley Cup Playoffs hat trick and the Penguins lead the series 2-0.
It was not just Crosby who contributed to the win. Six players had assists, including Evgeni Malkin. He leads the league with 11 assists in the playoffs and only one of four players in league history to have an assist in his team’s first eight playoff games. However, Crosby’s third goal forced the Senators to pull goalie Craig Anderson in favor of Robin Lehner. This was Lehner’s first playoff game and quickly gave up a goal by Brendan Morrow. But Lehner kept the Senators in the game, saving 20 out of 21 shots.
Crosby’s first goal was his 100th Stanley Cup Playoff point out of 75 games.
The Senators almost came back. Rookie Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored a power play goal 2:01 in the third period to pull them within a goal, but they could not get past Tomas Vokoun. The Penguins outshot the Senators 42-22. While Vokoun gave up three goals, the Penguins defense has to give him more protection.
Game 3 is Sunday at 7:30PM ET on NBS Sports Network in Ottawa.
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