OTTAWA, Ontario _ Ottawa probably didn't anticipate the uninspired effort the Penguins put forth for much of their 5-1 loss in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final Wednesday night.
And the Senators certainly don't expect a repeat in Game 4 Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre.
"I'm expecting a big pushback from them," Ottawa center Zack Smith said Thursday. "I don't think that was their typical game that they played (Wednesday). We'll be ready for a lot better game from them (Friday)."
Senators right winger Bobby Ryan offered a similar assessment.
"I think we can expect a pretty good push," Ryan said. "After Game 1, they regrouped and came back and gave us all we could handle in Game 2. I think it will be much like that. It won't be a repeat of (Game 3), by any means."
One of the major storylines heading into Game 4 is whether Penguins coach Mike Sullivan will opt to start Marc-Andre Fleury or Matt Murray in goal, as the Penguins try to even the series.
The Senators are aware of the issue but said it has no impact on their approach.
"To be honest with you, we don't care," coach Guy Boucher said.
Center Derick Brassard suggested that he believes the Penguins will stick with Fleury.
"Fleury won the Cup," he said. "He's been proven a No. 1 goalie in this league, and Murray won the Cup for them last year.
"It doesn't really matter. Those two guys are good goalies. I wouldn't be shocked if they go back to Fleury because he brought them there."
