It is pretty much a done deal now. We were given hope and inspiration with one last skate by Daniel Alfredsson. Teh team had pep, the team had fire in their eyes. The team scored first.

Pittsburgh looked like a fish floundering for much of the game (fan’s perspective) on the heels of our depleted team led by our captain. Until the third, deadlocked in a 1-1 tie. (It took so much for us to finally get that goal, and the flightless birds made it look too easy in return tying it up.) Until their captain decided the game was over.

Kudos to Crosby for pulling it out when it needed to be done. Darts to the Sens D (incl Speeza on the insurance goal) for deciding to coast in the opening moments of the third period.

We played it out til the end but you could tell our heart wasn’t in it. We could no longer outplay the other team. We needed help, but the Pens rarely take penalties.

An analysis of the final blow to Ottawa in the third is not needed. There is no conspiracy theory here. Ottawa has been done for awhile and it was fun to get our hopes up, but that was all.

The only positives to this series would happen on Wednesday if we win one and avoid the sweep. That and thanks goodness I didn’t bet my hair color this year on sweep possibilities…

Damn you Crosby!I can only assume that Alfredsson won’t play on Wednesday. Possibly not even Spezza.And now for the inevitable jobbing from the happy people of thepensblog. Well played boys. Well played.

“I knew I had to skate today to see how I felt,” said Spezza. “I’m not 100 per cent but I’ll be fine tonight.”

[From Ottawa Senators - Features: Alfie to the rescue? - 04/14/2008]

So I read a quote like that and can’t help but wonder: if he was at 100% before and was ineffective, what good will he be tonight when he isn’t at 100%?

Gah! Just what we need. Altho it’s not like he’s been all that productive. Without Spezza’s turnovers maybe we’ll lessen the chances for the Pens…

[From james mirtle: Spezza may sit - A hockey journalist’s blog]

Here we go:

Sens Breakaway

1. Donovan breaks over the blue line with LeTang chasing
2. Donovan picks up the puck as LeTang catches him
3. LeTang grabs Donovan’s jersey near his left kidney
4. LeTang makes a sweep with his stick hitting Donovan in the left knee
5. Yoink!
6. Down they go…
7. You can see LeTang letting go of Donovan’s jersey as he is getting back up before Donovan slides into Fluery.

Pens Breakaway

1. Some guy on the Pens grabs the puck
2. Redden, playing for once, tries to poke check the puck away and misses
3. The Penguin kicks the puck ahead as Redden passes in front
4. Redden then on a back slash at the puck allows the Penguin an opportunity to fall down
5. The Penguin still manages to get a shot off against Gerber

The 1st breakaway should have have been a penalty shot or in the very least a penalty against LeTang but I don’t blame the refs as they weren’t in a position to see it.The 2nd breakaway is iffy, but considering Malkin managed to get a shot off and the fact that Redden was always ahead of him, it wasn’t deemed worthy of a penalty shot.In the end it doesn’t matter as even if Donovan had his chance, I doubt he would haven beaten Fleury, but boy had we not gotten into Pittburgh’s heads by that point.

Okay Roll The Video!

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