After the first period at Scotiabank Place, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators are locked in a scoreless tie. There was little action in the first twenty minutes, as neither team had a real opportunity to put a goal on the board. The Penguins outshot the Senators 11 to 9, but it was a relative snoozer. At the end of the first, the Senators had a three on one chance but failed to even get a shot off.
The Friday night matchup is being played without a number of offensive stars, including Ottawa and league-leading goal scorer Milan Michalek. In addition to Sidney Crosby, who continues to be out indefinitely, Jordan Staal was scratched due to a nagging lower body injury. Staal was questionable for the Pens Tuesday night matchup and gave it a go at the last minute. He labored at certain times on the ice, including trying to get back to cover a three on two that ended with a Detroit goal. Friday, he was kept off the ice by coach Dan Bylsma. In addition to the injuries, Marc-Andre Fleury is getting the night off with goalie Brent Johnson in net for this first of back-to-back weekend games.
For more on the Penguins, please visit Pensburgh, SB Nation's Penguins blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit Silver Seven, SB Nation's Senators blog.
After the first period at Scotiabank Place, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators are locked in a scoreless tie. There was little action in the first twenty minutes, as neither team had a real opportunity to put a goal on the board. The Penguins outshot the Senators 11 to 9, but it was a relative snoozer. At the end of the first, the Senators had a three on one chance but failed to even get a shot off.
The Friday night matchup is being played without a number of offensive stars, including Ottawa and league-leading goal scorer Milan Michalek. In addition to Sidney Crosby, who continues to be out indefinitely, Jordan Staal was scratched due to a nagging lower body injury. Staal was questionable for the Pens Tuesday night matchup and gave it a go at the last minute. He labored at certain times on the ice, including trying to get back to cover a three on two that ended with a Detroit goal. Friday, he was kept off the ice by coach Dan Bylsma. In addition to the injuries, Marc-Andre Fleury is getting the night off with goalie Brent Johnson in net for this first of back-to-back weekend games.