No. 4 Pittsburgh vs. No. 5 Ottawa
No. 4 Pittsburgh vs. No. 5 Ottawa
Records: Penguins 47-28-7, Senators 44-32-6.
Power Play: Penguins 17.2% (19th), Senators 16.9% (21st).
Penalty Killing: Penguins 84.1% (ninth), Senators 84.3% (eighth).
Leading scorers: Penguins: Sidney Crosby 51-58—109. Senators: Daniel Alfredsson 20-51—71.
Outlook: Crosby finished second to Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin in points and hit 50 goals for the first time, sharing the goal-scoring lead with Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos. But the defending champion Penguins have had an up-and-down season and haven’t duplicated the surge they made entering the playoffs last spring. Could be they’re feeling the mileage of two straight Cup finals appearances, or that they’re waiting to turn it on — and they still have the talent to win. The Senators lost speedy winger Alexei Kovalev to knee surgery and can’t match the Penguins’ explosive offense.
Pick: Penguins in five.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.
Friday at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.
Sunday at Ottawa, 3:30 p.m.
April 20 at Ottawa, 4 p.m.
April 22 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.-x
April 24 at Ottawa, 4 p.m.-x
April 27 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.-x
x-if necessary; all times Pacific