The same Senators who lulled many a hockey fan to sleep to begin the Eastern Conference finals sent the series into a frenzy with a five-goal outburst in Wednesday's Game 3, converting their 5-1 victory into a two-games-to-one lead over a Penguins team that for the first time these playoffs crumpled under the weight of mounting injury woes.
For watching such a stodgy group, Canadian Tire Centre was raucous, hosting its most important hockey game in 10 years, chanting for six.
The Sens were quick to disprove critics of the dull, bend-but-don't break trap system they've deployed to slow the defending Cup champs with a goal 48 seconds into the game and three more in a span of 2:18 later in the first period. Games 1 and 2 in Pittsburgh featured four goals in total.
Mike Hoffman got the party started.
The Sens winger was in the right place, right time when a friendly puck caught the end boards and Hoffman exploited an opening between Marc-Andre Fleury and the near post.
Then, with 10:34 gone in the period, Marc Methot's second goal of the playoffs set off the quickest three-goal run in Senators playoff history. By the time Zack Smith's bank-shot wraparound goal made it 4-0 Ottawa with 7:08 to play, Pittsburgh pulled Fleury, who allowed the trio of goal on three successive shots, in favor of Matt Murray, who who last saw game action April 4.
The boring Ottawa Senators lead 4-0 in the first period. #ALLIN
Sidney Crosby was in danger of going three games without scoring a point for the first time all season until his power-play goal at 13:53 of the third period got the Pens on the board. The captain's effort to spark a late rally was for naught, however, and the Pens are left licking some serious wounds.
Top scoring defenseman Justin Schultz and top-six forwards Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist, who missed Game 2, didn't dress in the blowout.
Trevor Daley, injured since Game 5 of the second round, and Mark Streit, who hasn't played at all this postseason, made their returns but were largely ineffective on a Pens defensive unit that seemed discombobulated in its own end all night.
In all, it's an alarming loss for Pittsburgh, but not a damning one. At least not yet.
Ottawa went 0-for-4 on the power play and hasn't scored with the man advantage in eight straight games. A case could be made that the majority of the goals the Pens gave up were fluky or the product of a rusty defense that could right itself before Friday's critical Game 4, which should be all-telling.
Who said this series isn't interesting?
Three stars
3. Marc Methot, Senators — Methot, who didn't have a goal all season, now has two in the playoffs and added an assist Wednesday, officially enacting revenge on Crosby for maiming his pinky finger earlier this season. Methot also was a plus-4 for the game.
2. Bobby Ryan, Senators — With a pair of assists, Ryan has 13 points through 15 games in these playoffs. It took him 28 games during the regular season to reach 13 points.
1. Craig Anderson, Senators — Anderson has stopped 78 of 81 shots in the Eastern Conference finals after a 25-save showing in Game 3. This against the NHL's highest-scoring offense from the regular season. He's been remarkable.
Gotta see it
Kyle Turris gets fulls marks for staying with the puck to score the Senators' fifth goal of the game.
Western Conference finals: Ducks at Predators, Game 4, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN (Predators lead 2-1) — Nashville turned this series up a notch in a dominant Game 3 win, even if the 2-1 score didn't indicate it. Anaheim is on its heels, and it won't be an easy task to climb out of a 3-1 series hole if it comes down to that.
Also See: 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs
Slide 1 of 75: Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators trips over Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on May 17, 2017 in Ottawa, Canada.
Ducks goalie John Gibson and Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson fall to the ice as a shot by Nashville's Filip Forsberg gets through for a goal during the third period of Game 3 in the Western Conference final on May 16 in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Ducks right wing Jared Boll, left, and Predators left wing Cody McLeod fight during the second period of Game 3 ib the Western Conference final on May 16.
Ducks right wing Corey Perry lines up to shoot against Predators goalie Pekka Rinne during the first period of Game 3 in the Western Conference final on May 16.
Ducks center Ryan Kesler, left, and Predators center Ryan Johansen take a faceoff during the first period of Game 3 in the Western Conference final on May 16.
Phil Kessel, left, of the Penguins plays against the Senators in the second period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final on May 15 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins won 1-0 to even the series at one game apiece.
The Penguins' Olli Maatta (3) and Nick Bonino tangle with Mark Stone of the Senators during the third period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final on May 15.
Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, left, clears the puck past Senators left wing Mike Hoffman during the first period of Game 2 in the Eastern Conference final on May 15.
Senators goalie Craig Anderson knocks the puck out of the crease against the Penguins during the second period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final on May 15.
Filip Forsberg (9) of the Nashville Predators battles against Hampus Lindholm (47) of the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at the Honda Center on May 14, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 5-3.
Ryan Getzlaf (15) of the Anaheim Ducks skates in the crease to play the puck on a shot by teammate Ondrej Kase (not in photo) as Colin Wilson (33) and goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) of the Nashville Predators try to defend the play on May 14.
Justin Schultz (4) of the Pittsburgh Penguins dives for the puck against Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) of the Ottawa Senators during the third period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Carter Rowney (37) of the Pittsburgh Penguins moves the puck in front of Bobby Ryan (9) of the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 13, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) of the Ottawa Senators scores a goal against Marc-Andre Fleury (29) of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with his teammate Mark Stone (61) after scoring a goal against Marc-Andre Fleury (29) of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Carter Rowney (37) and Ottawa Senators' Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) battle along the boards during the second period of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, on May 13, in Pittsburgh.
James Neal (18) of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in the first overtime period of Game One of the Western Conference Final as Nate Thompson (44) of the Anaheim Ducks looks on during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 12, in Anaheim, California.The Predators defeated the Ducks 3-2 (OT).
Goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) of the Nashville Predators makes a save in front of Andrew Cogliano (7) of the Anaheim Ducks and Roman Josi (59) of the Nashville Predators in the third period of Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 12, in Anaheim, Calif.
Pontus Aberg (46) of the Nashville Predators battles against Jared Boll (40) of the Anaheim Ducks after a whistle in Game One of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 12, in Anaheim, Calif.
Nashville Predators Defenceman Mattias Ekholm (14) falls to the ice and tries to steal the puck from Anaheim Ducks Center Ryan Getzlaf (15) during game 1 of the 2017 NHL Western Conference Final between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks on May 12, at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) reaches to cover the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in front of net traffic during the third period in game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center.
Penguins right wing Bryan Rust, left, and Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie chase the puck during the first period of Game 6 in their second-round series on May 8 in Pittsburgh. The Capitals won 5-2 to even the series 3-3.
Ice attendants pick up hats after Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl scored his third goal in the Oilers' 7-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on May 7.
Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen, left, scores the eventual game-winning goal past St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen, center, in the third period of their 3-1 victory at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on May 7.
Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals scores a third-period goal against Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference second-round series on May 6 in Washington.
Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh hip-checks Senators left wing Viktor Stalberg in the second period of Game 5 in their second-round series on May 6 in Ottawa.
Rangers center Kevin Hayes and Senators goalie Craig Anderson get up close and personal during the second period of Game 5 in their second-round series on May 6.
Alex Ovechkin, left, celebrates his third-period goal against the Penguins with Capitals teammate Kevin Shattenkirk in Game 5 of their second-round series on May 6.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist turns as a first-period shot by the Senators' Mark Stone (61) makes its way into the net during Game 5 of their second-round series on May 6.
Andrej Sekera of the Edmonton Oilers is helped off the ice by Milan Lucic and a trainer during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 5, in Anaheim, Calif.
Matthew Benning of the Edmonton Oilers reacts as he is hit by Nate Thompson of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 5, in Anaheim, Calif.
Paul Stastny of the St. Louis Blues attempts to pass the puck against Ryan Johansen of the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scottrade Center on May 5, in St. Louis, Miss.
Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators watches the puck after losing his mask against the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 5, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Miss.
Dion Phaneuf of the Ottawa Senators fights with Brendan Smith of the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 4, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-1.
Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers scores a third period goal against Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 4, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-1.
Bobby Ryan of the Ottawa Senators attempts to control the puck against Oscar Lindberg of the New York Rangers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 4, in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Senators 4-1.
Tanner Glass of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal by Oscar Lindberg at 15:54 of the second period against the Ottawa Senators in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 4, in New York City.
The New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators fight during the third period of game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 4.
The Penguins' Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury makes a save as the Capitals' Lars Eller and the Penguins' Evgeni Malkin battle for puck on May 3 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins won 3-2.
Colin Wilson, right, of the Predators battles for the puck against the Blues' Patrik Berglund in Game 4 of a second-round series on May 2 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-1 to take a 3-1 series lead.
Predators players celebrate after a goal by defenseman Ryan Ellis during the third period against the Blues in Game 4 of a second-round series on May 2.
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, left, and Predators left wing Harry Zolnierczyk battle for the puck during the first period in Game 4 of a second-round series on May 2.
The Rangers' Michael Grabner, left, looks to control the puck in front of the Senators' Dion Phaneuf during the second period of Game 3 of a second-round playoff series on May 2 in New York. The Rangers won 4-1 but trailed in the series 2-1.
Rangers center J.T. Miller and Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau are separated by officials during the third period of Game 3 of a second-round series on May 2.
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