Written by Craig Custance at ESPN.com
They watched film. They simulated the Senators’ trap during practice.
But until you see it in person, see how consistently and religiously the Senators execute, it’s truly impossible to visualize.
The Penguins got that in Game 1.
“Experiencing it is something different,” Penguins defenseman Ian Cole said after practice Sunday.
If there was any doubt what the reigning champs are up against, it has been completely removed now. And while we’ll make a big deal out of the trap and the system and the Senators’ attention to detail, it’s the execution that is most impressive. Right now, Ottawa is dialed in as much as any team left in the playoffs. The Senators truly understand their identity, how they need to play to be successful and they appear to be a group that has a genuine grasp of the opportunity that is in front of them — an opportunity they are clinging to tightly so it doesn’t slip away.
When one NHL team executive was asked about the Senators’ trap, that’s where he focused his attention — the effort of the players.
“The reason Ottawa is where they are is because they’ve consistently outworked their opponent,” the executive said. “They outworked Pittsburgh. … It’s going to come down to blue-collar work ethic, and execution. Who sweats the most.”
That work ethic has rarely been a problem for a Mike Sullivan group. The Penguins’ coach had them out for another full practice Sunday to try and find solutions to a forgettable Game 1, starting practice with a drill that simulated a jammed-up neutral zone with players weaving in and out with pucks.
An area of focus for the Penguins after the Game 1 loss was shot selection. Sullivan wants the Penguins to be more aggressive with their shooting, rather than trying to find the perfect shot.
During a Sunday morning film session, the Penguins’ coaches showed a number of situations where they felt there was an opportunity to get a shot on goal, and it didn’t happen.
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