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Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings: New Number One

By Matt Duscharme

May 17, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot (3) celebrates his first period goal against Pittsburgh Penguins with Bobby Ryan (9) Ryan Dzingel (18) and Erik Karlsson (65) in the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot (3) celebrates his first period goal against Pittsburgh Penguins with Bobby Ryan (9) Ryan Dzingel (18) and Erik Karlsson (65) in the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) makes a glove save (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports) /

Previous Ranking: 2 (-2)

Team Record: (9-6)

Goals For:

44

Goals Against:

38

Special Teams

PP: (19.1 percent) (6th)
PK: (83.3 percent) (10th)

Injury List

Tom Kuhnhackl – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day
Justin Schultz – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Bryan Rust – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Patric Hornqvist – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Kris Letang – Neck – Indefinitely

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Evgeni Malkin (15gp 6g 14a 20pts)
Top Defenseman: Justin Schultz (14gp 2g 6a 8pts)
Top Rookie: Jake Guentzel (15gp 9g 5a 14pts)
Top Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury (9 wins 2.56GAA .924 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Phil Kessel (3gp 1g 1a 2pts)

Pittsburgh has been dominant all post season but they are definitely having a tough time against the Sens. The biggest accomplishment definitely has to be the fact they have been able to keep Karlsson off the scoresheet.

In game three the Pens let in four goals on nine shots and Matthew Murray came in relief and was super solid. While head coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t made an announcement on who will start game four, it’s obvious Murray is going to be that guy. Evgeni Malkin definitely needs to step up play as well as Jake Guentzel, Conor Sheary, and Sidney Crosby, they are just way too skilled to not score.

Player to Watch: Sidney Crosby

2016-17 stats: 14gp 5g 10a 15pts

Crosby always thrives under pressure and with Ottawa now holding a 2-1 series lead, expect him to have all hands on deck in game four. He may or may not get on the scoresheet, but either way, he’s going to play a very significant part.

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