• Summary: A highly entertaining first period had the Penguins on top 2-1 after 1. The Penguins got goals from Michel Ouellet (19) and Gary Roberts (18) but Ottawa fought back in the 2nd to tie it up at 2-2 heading into the third. The Penguins hopes of gaining home ice against Ottawa are still alive after Max Talbot scores with 9.9 seconds to win the game.

• Hero: Maximes Talbot scores with 9.9 seconds in the 3rd period that iced the game.

• Unsung Hero: Marc Andre Fleury the games #1 star was unbelievable between the pipes. Fleury has been exceptional all season but the msg boards and media are trying to make goalie controversy out of nothing. Fleury shut those critics up tonight. This town really does love the backups and needs to appreciate the actual players who make a difference.

• The Race for Home-Ice: Penguins 103 pts РSenators 103 pts. The Senators own the tie breaker but it all comes down to Saturday night. The Penguins take on the Rangers while the Senators take on the Bruins.

‚Ä¢ Quick Hits: Michel Therrien picked the worst game to scratch Georges Laraque. After the first ten minutes of the game, I’m sure he was regretting his decision. The Senators were taking runs at the Pens and this was something we did not see in the last two meetings between the clubs when Laraque was in the lineup. The 4th line does not win or lose a game but if Laraques presence keeps other team from being dirty then keep him in the lineup. After the Sabres i had a feeling Therrien was going to scratch Laraque. Following a loss Therrien likes to shake up his lineup after a loss and the loss against the Sabres was definetly on a guy who played 5:29 against Buffalo.

Gary Roberts made his presence known tonight and showed some chemistry with Crosby. How many more points would Crosby have if he had a finisher on his line. I love Cobly Armstrong as a 3rd liner not a first liner. Colby had some many chances tonight and Ray Shero’s primary goal in the off-season is two get a top flight winger to play with Crosby. I liked Roberts on the Crosby line but other than that not a big fan of the rest. Evgeni Malkin has been non-existence and putting him with Ryan Malone and Mark Recchi is not helping his cause. I’m a big Max Talbot fan but playing him with Staal and Ouellet doesn’t make sense either. If Staal is not going to play center on the third line then he has to get back to playin with Malkin. Do not be surprised to see Michel Ouellet getting some shifts with Crosby Saturday night. Heres how the lines should be.

Roberts – Crosby – Ouellet

Christensen – Malkin – Recchi

Malone – Staal – Armstrong

Ruutu – Talbot – Laraque