The Penguins’ 7-0 victory over Ottawa in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final became official at 5:47 p.m. Sunday.
Ottawa had lost the game long before that, however, and Senators coach Guy Boucher knew it.
So certain was he after two periods, with the Penguins holding a 6-0 lead, that he held defensemen Erik Karlsson and Cody Ceci and center Derrick Brassard out of the game during the third period.
Boucher said later than all three should be available in Game 6 Tuesday night at Canadian Tire Centre, where the Penguins will try to clinch their second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup final.