Penguins advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

James Neal ends the Pittsburgh Penguin’s series against the Ottawa Senators with a hat trick and Tomas Vokoun, who started the playoffs on the bench, is credited with all four wins.  Five on five or four on four, this Penguins team is dangerous and they overwhelmed Ottawa during most of the series.  Tonight was yet another game where the Penguins had quality chances and ran up the score 6-2, against the Senators in Game 5 winning the series 4-1.  The Senators took too many minor penalties against a team with great depth and strength on the power play. Alfredsson called it; the Senators were no where close to coming back from their loss in Game 4. Neal along with Morrow, Letang and Malkin scored and 5 other players had assists for the Penguins.

The top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins will move onto the Eastern Conference Finals and play the winner of the Boston Bruins v. New York Rangers series that is currently underway.  The Bruins lead the series 3-1 and will play Game 5 against the Rangers in Boston on Saturday. This early end to their series will give the Penguins the rest they will need going into Round 3, whether they face the Rangers or the Bruins the Penguins will appreciate this rest after a shortened season and a tough series.  The Penguins can dominate offensively and they have been able to wear out their opponent with their depth.  With great leadership in Crosby and great goaltending by Vokoun the Penguins will push to win the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since they won the Stanley Cup in 2009.