MATCH: Penguins vs. Senators
SERIES: Eastern Conference Final, 3-3
TIME: 8 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: NBCSN
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
The Pens and Sens meet in a decisive Game 7 showdown … Pittsburgh is 9-7 all-time in Game 7s, but just 3-7 at home … The Pens are playing in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year. Pittsburgh triumphed, 2-1, against Tampa Bay last season. Bryan Rust was the hero of that contest after scoring both goals for the Pens … Rust has 8 goals in 13 career eliminations games … Malkin scored his 7th goal of the postseason in Game 6. He leads the NHL in playoff scoring with 24 points … Goalie Matt Murray will start for Pittsburgh. He's been brilliant since entering the series in Game 4. He has a 1.33 GAA and .950 save percentage ... Pittsburgh injuries: Patric Hornqvist (upper-body), Tom Kuhnhackl (lower-body), Kris Letang (herniated disc), Chad Ruhwedel (concussion) … Ottawa survived in Game 6 thanks to its goaltender Craig Anderson. He turned aside 45 of 46 shots in the contest, including 22 saves in the second period alone. It was Anderson's 21st playoff victory, tying Patrick Lalime for the club record … Defenseman Erik Karlsson has 14 assist on the current run, 1 shy of tying the club record for helpers in a single season (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, 2007) … Ottawa scored its 1st power-play goal of the entire series with a 5-on-3 tally from Bobby Ryan. The Sens power play is now 1 for 18 … Ottawa injuries: Mark Borowiecki (lower-body), Alex Burrows (lower-body).
MORNING SKATE REPORT:
\Head coach Mike Sullivan said Patric Hornqvist and Justin Schultz will be game-time decisions.
\The Pens held an optional morning skate.
\Hornqvist was on the ice in normal "contact" gear.
\Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel took part wearing a gold "non-contact" jersey.
