structure, cool needed now
Turn the page and look ahead, not behind.
That, essentially, was the message from Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston to his players going into tonight's Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place.
It's a game few observers gave the Senators much hope of playing host to at all two short days ago, their season seemingly up in smoke following a Game 4 meltdown, which left them trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Then came Thursday's thriller in Pittsburgh. The only thing more unlikely than Ottawa's 4-3 triple-overtime victory were the heroes: goaltender Pascal Leclaire and heavyweight defenceman Matt Carkner. But in order to extend the series to a Game 7 Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Clouston said the players have to put the Game 5 win in the rear-view mirror.
To him, the key tonight is about sticking to a solid structure and keeping their cool.
"We didn't have a workout (Friday)," Clouston said. "We had guys in for rehab to make sure all their bodies are ready to go. Hopefully, we're ready with our minds and emotions, as much as our bodies. Because, to me, that's what it's all about right now.
"Physically, both teams will be tired, but we've got to have our emotions up."
In many ways, the Senators' series has been much like their inconsistent season. For long stretches, including the 47 minutes of overtime on Thursday night, they have been a composed, structured squad, creating offensive chances by forcing Pittsburgh into mistakes in the middle of the ice.
Yet, for other extended periods, including most of the second period in Game 5, they have looked lost or on their heels, allowing the Penguins to dictate play inside Ottawa's zone. Leclaire faced 19 second-period shots Thursday night.
For whatever reason, the Senators have been more
inconsistent at Scotiabank Place, where they lost Games 3 and 4, losing their discipline in the Game 4 blowout.
Despite the Game 5 victory, Leclaire said the Senators remain in the same situation.
"It doesn't change that much," said Leclaire, who set a franchise record with 56 Game 5 saves. "We've still got to win to stay alive, and that's our main focus right now."
Leclaire attempted to downplay his performance, claiming the support around him made his job much easier. The Senators blocked an eye-popping 46 shots. Anton Volchenkov led the way with 11, several times wincing in pain following shots off his hands, feet, legs and chest.
"We kept a lot of things to the outside," Leclaire said. "Everybody talks about 50-something saves, but I think the big plays were the guys blocking shots and making good defensive plays. That was the most important thing. If we keep doing that, we'll definitely give ourselves a chance.
"We have to do the same thing, play the same type of game. If we stay within our game, we'll have a shot at it. I know everybody is really excited and stuff, but I don't think we can get caught up in it and get overexcited. We still have a lot of work to do."
Still, the few Senators who spoke publicly Friday were wearing smiles, masking the fatigue. At the very least, they've put a few doubts in the minds of the Penguins.
In a series full of momentum swings, Matt Cullen suggests the Senators are carrying some into Game 6.
"Hopefully, it's something we can use to our advantage, but at the same time, this team we're playing knows how to deal with the ups and downs of the playoffs," said Cullen, who played 39:32 Thursday, second on the team behind Erik Karlsson (40:38).
Cullen said winning a marathon game has a way of reducing the feelings of fatigue: "You don't come in here feeling horrible. You're a little tired, a bit more than usual, but nothing crazy."
Turn the page and look ahead, not behind.
That, essentially, was the message from Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston to his players going into tonight's Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place.
It's a game few observers gave the Senators much hope of playing host to at all two short days ago, their season seemingly up in smoke following a Game 4 meltdown, which left them trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Then came Thursday's thriller in Pittsburgh. The only thing more unlikely than Ottawa's 4-3 triple-overtime victory were the heroes: goaltender Pascal Leclaire and heavyweight defenceman Matt Carkner. But in order to extend the series to a Game 7 Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Clouston said the players have to put the Game 5 win in the rear-view mirror.
To him, the key tonight is about sticking to a solid structure and keeping their cool.
"We didn't have a workout (Friday)," Clouston said. "We had guys in for rehab to make sure all their bodies are ready to go. Hopefully, we're ready with our minds and emotions, as much as our bodies. Because, to me, that's what it's all about right now.
"Physically, both teams will be tired, but we've got to have our emotions up."
In many ways, the Senators' series has been much like their inconsistent season. For long stretches, including the 47 minutes of overtime on Thursday night, they have been a composed, structured squad, creating offensive chances by forcing Pittsburgh into mistakes in the middle of the ice.
Yet, for other extended periods, including most of the second period in Game 5, they have looked lost or on their heels, allowing the Penguins to dictate play inside Ottawa's zone. Leclaire faced 19 second-period shots Thursday night.
For whatever reason, the Senators have been more
inconsistent at Scotiabank Place, where they lost Games 3 and 4, losing their discipline in the Game 4 blowout.
Despite the Game 5 victory, Leclaire said the Senators remain in the same situation.
"It doesn't change that much," said Leclaire, who set a franchise record with 56 Game 5 saves. "We've still got to win to stay alive, and that's our main focus right now."
Leclaire attempted to downplay his performance, claiming the support around him made his job much easier. The Senators blocked an eye-popping 46 shots. Anton Volchenkov led the way with 11, several times wincing in pain following shots off his hands, feet, legs and chest.
"We kept a lot of things to the outside," Leclaire said. "Everybody talks about 50-something saves, but I think the big plays were the guys blocking shots and making good defensive plays. That was the most important thing. If we keep doing that, we'll definitely give ourselves a chance.
"We have to do the same thing, play the same type of game. If we stay within our game, we'll have a shot at it. I know everybody is really excited and stuff, but I don't think we can get caught up in it and get overexcited. We still have a lot of work to do."
Still, the few Senators who spoke publicly Friday were wearing smiles, masking the fatigue. At the very least, they've put a few doubts in the minds of the Penguins.
In a series full of momentum swings, Matt Cullen suggests the Senators are carrying some into Game 6.
"Hopefully, it's something we can use to our advantage, but at the same time, this team we're playing knows how to deal with the ups and downs of the playoffs," said Cullen, who played 39:32 Thursday, second on the team behind Erik Karlsson (40:38).
Cullen said winning a marathon game has a way of reducing the feelings of fatigue: "You don't come in here feeling horrible. You're a little tired, a bit more than usual, but nothing crazy."
