Bobby Ryan lifts Senators past Penguins in OT in Game 1

But if he keeps scoring big goals, Turris and the Senators could be in the Stanley Cup Final that day, which might create an unavoidable conflict. Pageau had 12 goals during the regular season.

Rather than pound away like the Blue Jackets and Capitals tried to do against the Penguins, Ottawa would rather get in Pittsburgh’s head. No, it wasn’t pretty – the Ryan goal was the rare breakaway – but the Senators stopped caring about style points long ago. “It was evident what was about to happen, win or lose. Obviously, disappointment for the team because I think we have an unbelievable group of guys who work hard to get [to] this level”, he said.

Injured defenceman Mark Borowiecki, who was sidelined of the line-up in Game 2 of the Sens’ first-round series against the Bruins is doubtful of play in game 2.

Perhaps it was a salute to the last Canadian team standing in the playoffs.

Now, does anyone out there believe in history repeating itself?

The Senators opened the Eastern Conference final according to coach Guy Boucher’s plan by frustrating the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, including holding them to 0-for-5 on the power play, as Bobby Ryan scored the victor to give Ottawa a 2-1 overtime victory at the PPG Paints Arena.

The visiting Senators got on the score-sheet first after Jean-Gabriel Pageau tallied his 8th goal of the playoffs. Some began calling them a team of destiny after they won their sixth overtime game of the 2017 playoffs Saturday night.

But this time of year has always brought out the best in Pageau. He has excelled, however, in the postseason, now with five key goals and six assists.

“It’s good for us to get a couple slaps in the face here, wake us up”, said Senators center Derick Brassard, who is pointless in the series. You can just go out there and give everything you want. We’ve kind of had that feeling from the start that we had nothing to lose.

The big save kept the Senators in front, and they nearly added another one with about seven minutes left in the period, sneaking the puck past Penguins netminder Marc-André Fleury and into the corner of the net.

If the Senators thought the New York Rangers had strong pushback in a 4-1 win in Game 3 of the last series at Madison Square Garden, they likely havent seen anything yet because the Penguins are going to come out with all guns blazing.

“That’s something we’ve learned throughout the season”, said Smith. We’ve got to exercise some patience.

“When a period ends, all the momentum that was gained or lost starts at zero again“, Anderson said during his post-Game 1 availability. “We’re in the business of winning and this team, albeit very successful, hasn’t been successful in the right way”. Chris Kunitz took a shot from the left boards and Evgeni Malkin, pirouetting on his skates, managed to get his stick on the shot and change its direction just enough to elude Anderson. This series is going to be a blood bath and the Senators have drawn first blood.

The difference between the Sens and other teams is they know when to stop taking risks. “And it was the same in overtime”. It wasnt fun to live, ” said coach Guy Boucher Sunday.

Clarke MacArthur echoed Boucher’s words about the Senators maintaining their focus after Malkin’s goal.

“I don’t know if it hit the goalie or the player that was laying in front still”, Neal said.

“Our players are really good at not fearing the outcome, and we play the way we play”, Boucher said.

Yes, there’s still a tough road ahead for the Senators.

“We talk about it”, said Smith. “Now we go to our next challenge, it’s a Hell of a job!”.

“Its not that were content to be here, just happy to make it this far.