Penguins move closer to Stanley Cup Final return with rout of Senators
PITTSBURGH — The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are within one win of returning to the Final after defeating the Ottawa Senators 7-0 with the help of three assists each by Evgeni Malkin and Carter Rowney.
“This was one of the more complete efforts for sure,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said after the game.
Leading 3-2 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, the Penguins can win the series with a win Tuesday in Game 6 in Ottawa. The Penguins are trying to become the first team since 1998 to win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
"We are going to need that (same) enthusiasm and hunger moving forward,” Sullivan said.
Here’s how the Penguins got it done Sunday:
Strong start: The Penguins chased Ottawa starting goalie Craig Anderson on his 36th birthday with a four-goal first period barrage. Two of the goals were redirections, but it wasn’t Anderson’s best work. Scott Wilson banked a shot off his skate from a bad angle. Mike Condon replaced Anderson and also gave up three goals
“When we play the game we played tonight, it allows us to dictate the terms,” Sullivan said.
Unlikely hero: Rowney had no points in 11 playoff games this season, but he contributed directly to three goals in Game 5 and was on the ice for four of his team’s goals.
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Third line is first-rate: The line of Bryan Rust, Nick Bonino and Rowney was Pittsburgh’s best line. Rust had a goal and an assist and Bonino had two assists. Rust had missed the last two games with an injury.
Matt Murray looks strong: Murray is now 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average since he replaced Marc-Andre Fleury as starter. The Penguins only outshot Ottawa 14-12 in the first period.
Erik Karlsson leaves game: Karlsson suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second period, and didn’t return in the third period. Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said Karlsson and forward Derick Brassard, who also left the game, could have come back if the game hadn't been lopsided.
