Facing elimination, Sens plan to stick to strengths in Game 6

With their playoff lives on the line, the Ottawa Senators are vowing to get back to playing simple, mistake-free hockey in order to draw even with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With his team back at home and facing elimination at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champions in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final Tuesday night, Senators head coach Guy Boucher was philosophical after the morning's practice at the Canadian Tire Centre.

"I think there's two types of people: people that see difficulties in opportunities, and people who see opportunities in difficulties," said during a post-skate news conference.

"And I think we're in that position right now where it's a great day for our group to show what we got in front of our fans, and I think our fans have seen what this team has done all year through adversity, and how many times we've bounced back."

The Penguins took a 3-2 series lead with a blowout 7-0 win over the Sens in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the big loss, Boucher is confident his team can rebound and force a Game 7 by being smarter with the puck and limiting turnovers.

'We just got to stick to our strengths'

"We can't beat ourselves, and we got to stick to managing the puck well and making sure that we're not losing three and four guys on either our forecheck or offensive zone," he said.

"Instead of reinventing the wheel, we just got to stick to our strengths."

Captain Erik Karlsson said the team's mood ahead of Game 6 at home is "good."

"I think we've done a good job all year in situations like this, even though this is a little bit different. We're going to do everything we can to have the best game we possibly can," said Karlsson.

"For us, this is going to be a challenge that we're all going to be very excited about. We're going to enjoy it, and it's not going to be easy."

'Go back to simplifying things'

This is the first time the Sens have faced elimination in these Stanley Cup playoffs. They fought back after two lopsided losses in the second round against the New York Rangers to close out that series in six games.

Forward Kyle Turris believes channeling some of that success will help them turn the tables on the Penguins and earn a trip to the Stanley Cup final.

"I think we go back to simplifying things. That's one thing we've been real good at all year is kind of bouncing back, and keeping an even keel and not getting too low when things aren't going our way," Turris said.

"Having the opportunity to do that at home tonight in Game 6 of the third round of the playoffs is pretty neat. So I think we're going to have a real good one."

Boucher confirmed that forward Alex Burrows and defenceman Mark Borowiecki won't be in the lineup tonight.