The first goal is important.
It’s a hockey cliché that can turn your stomach, but in this case it just might be accurate.
So much changes for the Ottawa Senators when they have to play from behind. They’re not built to do it.
“Getting the first goal is definitely important,” Ian Cole said. “It might change their game plan a bit. If they have the lead, they can sit back and be a little more passive. If they’re playing from behind, they’ll be forced to be more aggressive, which could open some things up.”
And if that happens, it will absolutely favor the Penguins.