Just when things looked their bleakest. Just when you thought there would be a Game 7 on Tuesday night at the Mellon. Just as Daniel Alfredsson put the Senators up 3-0 in the second period. Just as you were about to run outside and punch your car, something happened. Something happened that changed the whole game and ended the Senators season. What that thing was, we may never know, but it did in fact end the Senators season.

There is no reason to recap the entire series. We all now how it felt losing Game 1 on home ice. We all know how it felt coming out of Ottawa up 3-1 in the series. We all know how sickening losing Game 5 in triple OT was. We all started doubting the Pens killer instinct about half way through Game 6. But when it was all said and done, we all were celebrating the Pens moving on to the next round.

They say the fourth game is always the hardest to win. Was that ever true in this case. The Senators fought to the bitter end and gave everything things they had, but in the end the Pens proved to just be too much. In one of the most bizarre series in recent memory which included numerous reviews and disallowed goals. There is just too much to go over now. Let’s just highlight some of the key moments.

Notes: Toronto was unusually busy during this series. There were numerous reviews. Overall you have to applaud the War Room for a top notch job and getting the calls right. The only call I think they missed was in the first period of Game 6. Mike Rupp’s shot clearly crossed the goal line which should have tied the game at 1. However, it was ruled no goal. Don’t see where the confusion was on that one. Overall though, a solid effort…Sidney Crosby was unstoppable, the Senators had no answer for him all series…Anton Volchenkov would look great in a Pens uniform next year. He blocked everything that came his way…Elliott or LeClaire will never lead a team to a Cup. Just not good enough…Fleury played well enough to keep the Pens in most games…Malkin will be coming around in Round 2. His parents will be in town…Andy Sutton woke up the sleeping giant in Game 2…Cory Clouston looks like a little rich bitch…Jason Spezza. Who is that?…Peter Regin. WTF?…Now on to Round 2.

Still don’t know who the Pens will play in Round 2. what we do know though is that with Boston beating Buffalo the Pens are guaranteed home ice in the next round. The Flyers advanced on Thursday night by beating the Devils 4-1.

With the Pens, Bruins, Flyers, and Cap…oh wait, yes let’s talk about the CAPS. They have yet to finish off the Montreal Canadiens after being up 3-1 in the series. They will play a Game on Wednesday night in Washington to see who advances. As we all know the Caps are nearly automatic in Game 7’s. Yeah I’m kidding. Anything can happen in Game 7. Nothing is guaranteed for Washington. Halak is playing out of his mind. I said in my round preview that Halak could steal one MAYBE two games for the Habs. Never thought he would in a position to seal the deal against the NHL’s top team. But if this year’s playoffs have taught us anything it’s to expect the unexpected.

The Pens don’t know who they are going to play at this moment. All we can do is sit back and wait. If the Caps win we play Boston, if the Habs win we play Montreal.

Round 2 preview will be up when all matchups are avaliable.

GO PENS!!!