What changes the Penguins, Senators and Kings must make to avoid playoff sweep

Three teams in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs face a daunting 0-3 deficit. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings stare down potential sweeps against energized opponents. Coming back from 3-0 has happened just four times in NHL history, making Game 4 a must-win desperation effort.[1][2]

Each squad must implement targeted adjustments to spark offense, tighten defense and steal momentum. With the series shifting or staying home, coaches hold the keys to lineup tweaks and strategic shifts. These changes could extend the fight, even if a full comeback remains a long shot.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have struggled against the Philadelphia Flyers’ relentless energy, youth and physicality. Pittsburgh appears flat across the board, lacking the fire needed in playoff hockey. Game 4 demands a full reset, starting in net where Stuart Skinner’s play has faltered.[3]

Skinner posts an .873 save percentage, 3.08 goals-against average and 2.8 goals saved below expected through three games.https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm No wins and subpar metrics highlight the issue. The Flyers exploit his weaknesses, turning close games into deficits.

GM Kyle Dubas acquired Arturs Silovs last offseason, providing an option. Silovs struggled in the regular season with an .888 save percentage. Yet, his playoff pedigree shines from 2024 with the Vancouver Canucks, where he stepped in for injured goalies Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith.

Silovs delivered a shutout to eliminate the Nashville Predators, thriving under pressure. Penguins coach Dan Muse could tap that experience for Game 4 in Philadelphia. A strong start from Silovs might quiet the raucous crowd and buy time for the offense.[4]

Beyond goaltending, Pittsburgh must match the Flyers’ peskiness. Forwards need to win more puck battles and generate forecheck pressure. Sidney Crosby and the veterans set the tone early, as urgency mounts in this series.https://nhlinsight.com/blog/penguins-0-2-deficit-crosby-urgency/

Defensemen must limit odd-man rushes, a Flyers staple. Special teams offer another lever—Pittsburgh’s power play has sputtered. Simplifying entries and shots could unlock goals before it’s too late.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa’s frustration boils over against the Carolina Hurricanes’ shutdown defense. The Senators, a top-10 regular-season offense, lead the playoffs with the fewest goals scored. Bad luck compounds core underperformance in the series.https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/senators-lose-game-3-and-jake-sanderson-now-on-brink-of-being-swept-by-carolina

Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Thomas Chabot, Claude Giroux and Shane Pinto combine for zero points despite heavy minutes. Each averages over 21 minutes per game without impact. This star silence dooms Ottawa’s attack.

The power play fares worse at 0-for-12, plagued by failed zone entries and passes. Game 3 exposed basic execution flaws against Carolina’s penalty kill. Jake Sanderson’s injury exit added chaos late.https://nhlinsight.com/blog/jake-sanderson-exits-senators-game-3-head-check-blocked-shot/

Coach Travis Green must shake up the top-six forwards again. Recent line tweaks in Game 2 improved underlying metrics, showing promise. Juggling units could spark chemistry and win more battles.[5]

• Key adjustments:
  • Pair Stutzle with grit players for net-front presence.
  • Elevate Pinto to top power-play role for fresh looks.
  • Simplify entries: dump, chase, retrieve over carry-ins.

Green emphasized process post-Game 3, sticking to systems while demanding response. Bombarding Frederik Andersen requires volume shots and traffic. Home ice in Game 4 favors Ottawa if they execute.

Historical parallels exist—teams shuffling lines have clawed back. Ottawa’s youth needs to erupt now, or the Hurricanes cruise.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings battle valiantly against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche. Games stay close, with LA containing superstars effectively. Offense, however, remains the Achilles’ heel, mirroring regular-season woes.[2]

Pre-Game 3, only two power-play goals from Artemi Panarin highlighted scoring droughts. Even-strength tallies finally came in a 4-2 loss, but too late. The top line struggled immensely.

Panarin, Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe finished minus-three in Game 3. All three points this series came on the power play—no even-strength production. This trio dominates possession but lacks finish.https://nhlinsight.com/blog/shattered-glass-behind-kings-bench-avs-playoff/

Interim coach D.J. Smith should break up the line for Game 4. Spreading talent creates secondary scoring threats. Pairing Panarin with different centers tests new chemistry against Colorado’s depth.

• Lineup ideas:
  1. Kopitar-Kempe-Byfield for speed and size.
  2. Panarin with Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield.
  3. Kempe centered by Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Defensive structure holds firm, limiting high-danger chances. Goaltending has stabilized games. Offense unlocks via balance—aim for three even-strength goals minimum.

Smith’s tweaks echo successful mid-series pivots. Fan intensity in LA could fuel the shift, extending the series.

These Game 4 pivots offer slim hope amid sweeps looming. Penguins need Silovs’ magic, Senators line jolts and Kings balanced attack. Success hinges on execution under pressure.

A win buys time, potentially flipping momentum. Playoff hockey rewards desperation—watch if these underdogs summon it. The NHL’s first round stays unpredictable.