The playoff hopes for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings are hanging by a thread as all three teams trail 3-0 in their respective first-round series of the NHL playoffs.

Making a comeback from this point to win the series will be tough for them. Only four times in league history has this happened.

Let's look at how they can achieve a miraculous comeback from here.

Things to Look for in the Penguins, Senators, and Kings Before It’s Too Late

All three teams faced their own problems in the playoffs. Let’s look at what mistakes these teams made.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have gone flat and slow in the first three games of the NHL playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers were more energetic and physical, and for the Penguins, the goaltending was a weak link. 

The goalie, Stuart Skinner, had a save percentage of .873 along with a 3.08 goals-against average.

We might see a change in goaltending, with Arturs Silovs waiting in the wings. He has done well in the previous outings. 

Apart from that, the Penguins need to improve their net performance as well. They have to rectify things before it is too late. 

The scoreboard of the first three games was 3-2, 3-0, and 5-2. Now, the fourth game will be played on April 25, 2026. 

Ottawa Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes were too good for the Ottawa Senators in the first three games. The Senators lost the first three games 2-0, 3-2 (2OT), and 2-1. 

One of the main reasons for their downfall was a lack of goal scoring in the first round.

Star players like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot did not have much impact in these games despite having heavy ice time. 

The team management has to change the top six forwards combination, and a power play shake might also be needed.

The offensive strategy changes and the star players' delivery are a must; otherwise, it will be curtains for the Senators in the series. Game 4 will be played on April 25, 2026. 

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings were good when it came to defense. But their offense was a big letdown in this first round of the NHL playoffs. In fact, it was one of the concerns throughout the season. 

To survive, they will have to create more scoring chances against the mighty Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 on April 26, 2026. 

For the Penguins, Senators, and Kings, avoiding a sweep will require resilience, adjustments, and standout performances from their leaders. Otherwise, their playoff journeys may come to an abrupt and disappointing end.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason