Pittsburgh Penguins Battle Log: Game 4 – Ottawa Senators
By Tyler Dunton
Who would have predicted the Pittsburgh Penguins to start the season 0-3 with only three goals? Pens fans are becoming more and more frustrated with the team and especially the coaching staff due to the slow start. The frustration boiled over to the point where the fans in attendance at the game booed the Penguins off their home ice after losing to the Montreal Canadiens.
Head coach Mike Johnston seemed to be flustered during his post game press conference, with red cheeks and short answers to media questions. He is surely on the hot seat with Jim Rutherford and company beginning to keep their eyes peeled for a new head coach.
Ottawa’s Numbers
The Ottawa Senators are 3-1-0 coming into Pittsburgh tonight, looking to keep rolling after battling against the Columbus Blue Jackets last night winning 7-3. Seven different players scored in their lopsided win, which proves they are not a top-heavy team.
- Erik Karlsson leads the team in points with seven assists, thanks to his huge four-assist night against the Blue Jackets.
- Kyle Turris has been red-hot to start the season, netting goals in three of their first four games.
- Twelve out of their eighteen skaters have at least a point on the season, again proving their depth.
- Ottawa is four for thirteen on the power play through four games.
- Good news for Pittsburgh Penguins fans – Penguin killer Clarke MacArthur is out of the lineup tonight – 17 goals – 26 points in 30 career games against Pittsburgh.
Ottawa Senators Player To Watch For: Kyle Turris
Oct 14, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) controls the puck in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Senators won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Turris has picked up right where he left off last season. The 26-year old has found himself leading the league in goals (4) and third in points (6) just four games into the season. The duo of Turris and Mark Stone has been seemingly unstoppable to start the season. These two will look to use their speed to capitalize on Penguins turnovers. If you can remember when the Pittsburgh Penguins took on the red-hot Senators in one of the last regular season games in 2014-2015. The Penguins were roasted by this duo all night long. Pittsburgh will look for a better result tonight.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player To Watch For: Kris Letang
Oct 2, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Kris Letang (58) takes a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Simply put, Kris Letang needs to better, a lot better. The number one defensemen for the Penguins this year needs to be the Norris Trophy candidate he is capable of being. At the home opener a few nights ago, I witnessed Letang turnover the puck in his own zone multiple times, leading to Montreal scoring opportunities. Letang leads his team in shots on goal with fifteen, finding the back of the net once on a fluttering shot in Tuesday night’s loss. I would like to see #58 continue to jump into the rush trying to create scoring chances with 87 and 71. He needs to be careful in order to keep the speedy Ottawa forwards in front of him in order to help out Marc-Andre Fleury facing a team that can score in bunches.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins – 4 Ottawa Senators – 3
Another nail biter for the Pittsburgh Penguins, bringing it down to the wire tonight. The Senator killer, Phil Kessel will have a good game with captain Sidney Crosby who is also looking to get on the score sheet. Mike Johnston is on the hot seat, so we’ll see if he is able to get his players to respond tonight.
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