Penguins Hammer Senators – NHL Roundup For May 23rd

OTTAWA (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins are a win away from a berth in the NHL's Eastern Conference finals.

The Penguins scored five straight goals over the second and third periods to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 7-3 rout of the Senators in Ottawa. Chris Kunitz (KOO'-nihts) and Jarome Iginla (ih-GIHN'-luh) scored 40 seconds apart during the first two minutes of the second period to put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2. Pascal Dupuis (doo-PWEE'), Sidney Crosby and Iginla later tallied during a 1:44 span of the third period to make it 7-2 with 10:07 remaining.

Neal and Iginla each finished with two goals and an assist, while Kris Letang (leh-TANG') set up four goals.

Tomas Vokoun (voh-KOON') stopped 31 shots for the Penguins, who can wrap up the series at home on Friday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks have fired head coach Alain Vigneault (VEEN'-yoh) and assistants Rick Bowness and Newell Browne following the team's quick exit in the NHL's Western Conference quarterfinals. The Canucks won the Northwest Division title but were swept by the Sharks in the opening round. Vigneault is the club's all-time leader in coaching victories, going 313-170-57 with six division crowns, two Presidents' trophies and a trip to the 2011 Stanley Cup finals.