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Senators look to make club history in Game Two

Apr 28, 2007 - 2:17 PM Ottawa at New Jersey 8:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference semifinals Senators lead, 1-0

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - The Ottawa Senators never have held a 2-0 lead in a playoff series.

The Senators get a chance in Game Two of the Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, who are facing a virtual must-win situation.

In the conference quarterfinals, Ottawa handled Pittsburgh in Game One but suffered a 4-3 loss in Game Two. The Senators are 0-7 all-time after winning the opening game of a series.

In Thursday's series opener, Defenseman Joe Corvo, Dean McAmmond and Dany Heatley scored unassisted tallies in a four-goal first period, and the Senators held on for a 5-4 victory.

Ottawa had six days off after dispatching Pittsburgh in five games, but it was New Jersey that looked disoriented in the early going. The Senators scored four times on their first eight shots against future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur, who is having a shaky postseason.

It was just the second time Brodeur had allowed four tallies in one period during the postseason. He also surrendered a handful of soft goals in New Jersey's opening-round series win over Tampa Bay.

The Devils climbed within 4-3 in the second period, but defenseman Wade Redden scored on the power play in the opening minute of the third as the Senators improved to 3-0 on the road in the postseason.

New Jersey likely have captain Patrick Elias back for Game Two. The team's points leader sat out the opening game with a lingering cold but participated in a free skate Friday and expects to play Saturday.