Three games into the NHL playoffs, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are easily the number one team so far, and they've appeared unstoppable. With the exception of the first period of Monday night's game, The Pens have absolutely dominated the Ottawa Senators. It seems like the Pens are almost toying with the Senators, playing keep-away with the puck, and forcing them into taking stupid penalties.
In their three playoff games the Penguins have outscored the Senators 13-4. During the three game span, the Pens have had 19 power play opportunities along with a total of 127 shots on net. Defensively they're getting in done too. They've only allowed one power play goal while being shorthanded 11 times. And Marc-Andre Fleury has simply been the man in net by posting a shutout and a goals against average of 1.34. He's only allowed four goals on 90 shots, which is pretty damn good.
The Pens did have a few question marks entering the playoffs. They included Sidney Crosby's health, and whether or not Marian Hossa could perform in the playoffs. Well, those questions have been answered. Both Hossa and Crosby have six points so far which ties them with teammate Evgeni Malkin for the playoff league lead. Hossa has been heavily involved in the offense registering 15 shots on net, while Crosby appears to be back to full strength with almost 20 minutes of ice time in each game.
It's been a great team effort so far. No player on the Pens roster has a plus/minus of under -1. Also, of the 19 skaters to have played so far in the series, 15 of them have recorded at least one point so far.
If the Penguins can pull off the sweep of the Sens on Wednesday night, it looks like they'll have a little bit of a lay off before their next series. This can effect teams both negatively and positively, but I can't see a little bit of time off having any negative effect on the dialed-in Pens. If they can continue playing at this pace, the only competition they'll have will be from each other to see who will win the Conn Smythe trophy.
-Joe Osborne
