SENATORS at PENGUINS
3 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
Best-of-7 series tied 2-2
PITTSBURGH -- Neither the Pittsburgh Penguins nor the Ottawa Senators have been able to string consecutive wins together through four games in the Eastern Conference Final.
The Senators would like that trend to continue with a win Sunday, which would give them a 3-2 series lead heading back to Ottawa. Meanwhile, the Penguins will look to reverse the trend and win a second consecutive game by building off of a 3-2 Game 4 victory.
Here are 5 keys for Game 5:
1. The Penguins' patchwork defense
In two of the past three games, Pittsburgh has played with five defensemen after one of their regulars left with an injury. The Penguins have won each of those two games.
But the victories were costly.
In Game 2, defenseman Justin Schultz sustained an upper-body injury. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Schultz remains day-to-day and could return Sunday, but did not divulge further information.
Pittsburgh lost defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a concussion in Game 4.
"They're vitally important to our team, the success that we've had to this point," Sullivan said Saturday. "We're not a perfect group back there by any stretch, but these guys are playing hard."
2. The Senators need more from their power play
The Senators were 0-for-4 on the power play Friday and have failed to convert on any of their 11 chances in the series.
Other than Game 3, when they scored five goals in a 5-1 win, the Senators haven't had much 5-on-5 success either. Because of their system, which employs a 1-3-1 forecheck designed to slow and frustrate the opponent, the Senators can only increase their chances by opening up their game.
But that would go against their identity. They could stay true to their defensive style if they convert on the man-advantage.
"Every series, you need one game where your power play gets you the game," coach Guy Boucher said Saturday.
3. More from Sidney Crosby
The Penguins were reminded of how impactful center Sidney Crosby can be when he had two points (one goal, one assist) in Game 4. That was probably Crosby's best effort since he sustained a concussion against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round.
If Crosby can have a repeat performance Sunday, it would greatly increase Pittsburgh's chances of winning a second straight game.
"I think you just make sure that you go out there and compete," Crosby said.
4. Consistency
The Penguins were pleased with their win Friday and don't feel the need to change much entering Game 4.
Despite losing, the Senators feel the same. Boucher and his players expressed confidence in their ability to rebound from a one-goal loss.
While there could be a few adjustments, the Penguins and Senators will likely look for more of the same in Game 5.
"I don't think there's adjustments to be made, to be honest with you," Boucher said.
5. Another solid outing for Matt Murray
Controversy surrounded the Penguins' goaltending situation entering Game 4, before and after coach Mike Sullivan announced Matt Murray would replace Marc-Andre Fleury. Murray quieted some of the skeptics by making 24 saves in his first start since April 6.
Murray can't afford to have a setback after that one strong start. Considering how well Fleury played through the first two rounds and into the conference final, Murray will need to continue to perform to solidify his position as Pittsburgh's undisputed starting goalie.
Senators projected lineup
Zack Smith -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Mark Stone
Viktor Stalberg -- Kyle Turris -- Mike Hoffman
Clarke MacArthur -- Derick Brassard -- Bobby Ryan
Ryan Dzingel -- Tommy Wingels -- Tom Pyatt
Fredrik Claesson -- Chris Wideman
Scratched: Chris Kelly, Chris Neil, Colin White, Jyrki Jokipakka, Christopher DiDomenico, Ben Harpur, Chris Driedger
Injured: Mark Borowiecki (lower body), Alexandre Burrows (leg)
Penguins projected lineup
Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Chris Kunitz
Scott Wilson -- Evgeni Malkin -- Phil Kessel
Conor Sheary -- Nick Bonino -- Carter Rowney
Carl Hagelin -- Matt Cullen -- Josh Archibald
Olli Maatta-- Trevor Daley
Matt Murray
Marc-Andre Fleury
Scratched: Oskar Sundqvist, Cameron Gaunce, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Derrick Pouliot, Daniel Sprong, Dominik Simon, David Warsofsky, Frank Corrado, Kevin Porter, Garrett Wilson, Tom Sestito, Tristan Jarry, Sean Maguire
Injured: Kris Letang (upper body), Justin Schultz (upper body), Patric Hornqvist (upper body), Bryan Rust (upper body), Tom Kuhnhackl (lower body), Chad Ruhwedel (concussion)
Status report
Boucher said Borowiecki and Burrows could each return Sunday. …. Hornqvist, Rust, Schultz and Kuhnhackl are day-to-day. Sullivan did not rule out any of them playing Game 5.
Who's hot
Karlsson leads all defensemen with 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past six games. … Kessel has three points (one goal, two assists) in his past three games. He is tied for third on the Penguins with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).
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