Second game important for series momentum

Gary Roberts is back.

Having played in only one game since coming back from devastating leg… Gary Roberts is back.

Having played in only one game since coming back from devastating leg and ankle injuries, Roberts scored two goals and racked up 16 penalty minutes into Game 1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first-round conference series against the Ottawa Senators.

Having physically dominated the Senators, the Penguins look to go up 2-0 in a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series, which the Penguins lost, four games to one.

Last year, the Senators handled the Penguins and schooled them in every aspect of the game.

This year, however, the Penguins looked like the teachers in Game 1, teaching the Senators lessons in fighting, scoring and team defense.

If they can keep up the physicality that all four lines displayed in Wednesday’s contest, the Penguins should be well off for Game 2.

But don’t count the Senators out just yet.

They still have a lot of offense in Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, and if Martin Gerber can play like he did in the second period of Game 1, where he stopped 15 of 15 shots, the Senators can hold the game close.

The two teams face off tonight at 7 p.m. at Mellon Arena.