Let the War of Words Begin!

Puckhead Report - Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting that Ottawa Senators Head Coach/General Manager Bryan Murray has questioned the work ethic of the Penguins in yesterday's loss to the Flyers.

"I knew what was going on...they wanted to play Ottawa. It was fairly obvious from the drop of the puck", Murray said.

Murray is suggesting that the Pens purposely dropped the game to the Flyers knowing that would give them a more favorable matchup with the Senators. While he is most likely using this as a motivational tool to get his team thinking that Pittsburgh is going to take them lightly knowing that it will be an easy series, this sort of suggestion could turn into a huge blunder if it gets the Sens thinking that they are an easy target for the offensively gifted Penguins. And I hope it does.

Now whether or not Pittsburgh lost the game on purpose, which I do not believe since they would have captured first place in the East with a win, Michel Therrien sat Sid Crosby for the game to give him a rest. They were also unable to score on 8 power play opportunities.

I do agree that a series, potentially 9 consecutive games with the last 2 regular season games, against the Flyers may have been tough on the Pens, it is Playoff Hockey. All series' are. That is the nature of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

News of Note - The Pens had the day off today and will begin preparation for the Ottawa series tomorrow. Game 1 is less than 48 hours away!