Anderson sharp in goal, makes 45 saves for Senators.
Watch from: 04:56 in 2nd pd
OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Senators staved off elimination and set the stage for a dramatic finish in the Eastern Conference Final with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday night.
The series is now tied 3-3 with Game 7 -- and a chance to play the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Final -- set for Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Senators goalie Craig Anderson stopped 45 shots, including 22 of 23 in the second period, to redeem himself after getting pulled in Game 5.
Mike Hoffman broke a 1-1 tie at 1:34 of the third when he took a pass from Fredrik Claesson and rifled a slap shot that beat Penguins goalie Matt Murray high to the glove side.
Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Ottawa's Bobby Ryan exchanged goals in the second period.
The Penguins appeared to score the game's first goal at 3:04 of the second, when Sidney Crosby set up Trevor Daley in the slot and the Penguins defenseman took a shot, then a couple of follow-up whacks at the rebound that Anderson could not smother. After a coach's challenge, it was determined Daly was guilty of goaltender inference before swiping the puck in the net.
Malkin gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead on a strong solo effort at 4:51 of the middle period. Battling with Zack Smith along the back boards, Malkin broke free and moved in front for a shot that was stopped by Anderson. Malkin stayed with the play to pick up the rebound and deke to his backhand to slide it in for his seventh of the playoffs.
Ryan snapped the Senators power play drought at 0-for-29 when he tied it up at the 13:15 mark, with Ottawa enjoying a five-on-three advantage. Standing near the left-wing faceoff dot, Ryan took a pass from Kyle Turris and squeezed a shot through a small opening on Murray's stick side. It was his sixth of the playoffs.
Murray finished with 28 saves.
NOTES: Senators C Colin White played his first NHL playoff game. ... Senators LW Tommy Wingels was scratched and replaced by LW Ryan Dzingel. ... Injured Penguins RW Patric Hornqvist, RW Tom Kuhnhackl and D Chad Ruhwedel did not accompany the team to Ottawa, but coach Mike Sullivan said all were progressing in their recovery.
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