Crosby's Penguins one game from eliminating Ottawa

By Randall Palmer

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins capitalized on a third-period burst led by Sidney Crosby to beat Ottawa 4-1 on Monday, pushing the Senators to the brink of elimination from the NHL playoffs.

Pittsburgh leads last year's Stanley Cup finalists 3-0 in the best-of-seven playoff quarter-finals and can finish the job on Wednesday. The Senators had knocked the Penguins out in the first round last season.

"We know it's uphill, and we're going to approach it like it's sudden death," said Senators coach Bryan Murray.

After a scoreless first period, Ottawa's Nick Foligno and Pittsburgh's Maxime Talbot traded goals in the second.

Sidney Crosby then put Pittsburgh ahead with a fast break 12 seconds into the third, and Jordan Staal followed up 78 seconds later to put the Penguins up 3-1.

A powerplay goal by Marian Hossa after a scramble in front of Senators goalie Martin Gerber put the game out of reach.

"When you let a star (Crosby) get a break like that, he usually scores and he did. And from that point on it looked like we didn't have the same energy, and they really got going," said a subdued Murray.

Injuries have hampered the Senators going into the playoffs but captain Daniel Alfredsson decided to play even though he was not fully recovered from back and knee problems.

The Swede electrified the crowd and inspired his team but Murray said it was obvious he was unable to play at full speed.

Pittsburgh head coach Michel Therrien said his team were playing to their strengths.

"We're tough to contain when we're skating, because we've got speed," he said.

Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 33 shots.

"In the last 15 games he's been the best goalie in the NHL," Therrien added.

(Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Peter Rutherford)