Since struggling at times during their opening playoff series against the New York Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins have remained on course as they continue to look like the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
Through 4 games in their conference semifinal against the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh has built a commanding 3-1 series lead as they return home to the Consol Energy Arena with a chance to end their opponent's season.
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When and Where to Watch Game 5
As they attempt to take one step closer to a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals, game 5 between the Penguins and Senators will take place on Friday, May 24th. The puck is set to drop at 7:30pm, EDT with coverage available through the NBC Sports Network and CBC television.
Team Breakdown - Ottawa Senators
Heading into the third period of game 4, Ottawa only trailed by a goal but they never anticipated the offensive rush the Penguins would bring throughout the final 20 minutes. The Senators allowed 4 goals in the period - including 3 in a span of 75 seconds - allowing the Penguins to take control of the semifinal series by way of a 7-3 game 4 thrashing.
With their postseason lives on the line, Senators winger Daniel Alfredsson knows his teams focus needs to solely be on taking down a Penguins team that has been tough on their home ice all season.
"Your focus has to go into Game 5," Alfredsson said to NHL.com. "It's a big game. Whatever happens, happens. I don't know myself yet. It's not something about or 'what ifs.' It's about going to Pittsburgh and trying to bring another game back to this building."
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In order to return home for Game 6, the Senators will need to find a way to slow Jarome Iginla, who torched them for 2 goals in the game 4 defeat. Iginla has been electric during the 2013 playoffs, totaling 12 points on the strength of 4 goals and 8 assists.
Craig Anderson will need to step up his play between the pipes for the Sens as well after an awful performance the last time out. In 49 minutes of work, the 32-year-old Illinois native surrendered 6 goals before being pulled for back-up Robin Lehner, a statistic that will surely need improvement if Ottawa is to have any chance moving forward.
Team Breakdown - Pittsburgh Penguins
There isn't anything negative you can say - for the most part - about the way the Penguins have played throughout the year.
A season that was cut short in length due to a ridiculous labor dispute, Pittsburgh never struggled to get into top form, dominating the regular season while now looking like the team to beat in the postseason.
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Following slight changes in their game plan heading into game 4 against Ottawa, Pittsburgh lit up the scoreboard down the stretch, something premier scorer Sidney Crosby said comes from hard work and proper execution of the strategy.
"Last game we got some great chances" Crosby said to NHL reporters. "It wasn't a matter of not getting chances, it was a matter of executing. With all those chances we got, we eventually got one that they blocked off the boards and went into an empty net. So it's not always perfect, but if you consistently create chances the puck's going to go in."
Game 5 Wrap-Up
Creating chances is almost second nature to a Penguins team that is capable of scoring in bunches when they have to, a trait Ottawa witnessed firsthand two nights ago.
As the series now returns to Pittsburgh, be sure to catch the Penguins try to eliminate the Ottawa Senators on Friday, May 24th. The puck is set to drop in Game 5 at 7:30pm, EDT with coverage available through the NBC Sports Network and CBC television.
WATCH Highlights From Pittsburgh's Game 4 Victory Over Ottawa:
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