Sens Get Three Unanswered But That's Not Story

The Sens have played a great second period. They got a tying goal near the end of the first from Dean McAmmond to help turn the tide. This second has been all Ottawa. They went ahead on a Mike Comrie goal off a Mike Fisher redirect which a streaking Comrie put in.

A turning point took place when Gary Roberts and Michel Ouellet mixed it up with Jason Spezza during a line change. While that was going on leading to matching roughing minors, Sidney Crosby put in a wraparound too late. Instead of a tie game, it was wiped out. The Sens would then draw a hooking call on Evgeni Malkin and cash it in when resurgent captain Daniel Alfredsson rifled one home from the left wing through a screen.

But the bigger story with the Sens up 3-1 halfway through is the cheap hit Colby Armstrong put on Patrick Eaves. After Eaves had released the puck, he caught the Sen with a high shoulder which KO'd the winger sending him out on a stretcher. It resulted in a scrap between Ottawa teammate McAmmond and Maxime Talbot. McAmmond would get the decision to avenge his fallen teammate.

Armstrong has always been a borderline dirty player. He's pulled this stuff before. Maybe before it's over, he'll get his.

As for the game itself, my feeling is the Pens haven't played smart. It was clear that Ray Emery was shaky early on after they took the lead. But instead of testing him by getting shots to the net, they haven't. They allowed Ottawa to regain composure and dictate play instead.

There are two other games on tonight's schedule. Dallas hosts Vancouver for a crucial Game 3 with that series tied later on and Minnesota plays host to Anaheim trailing 2-0 in half an hour.