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Penguins put on a ‘clinic’ in semifinal series win over Senators

Florida Panthers v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, CANADA - JANUARY 21: Head coach Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators gives instructions to Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Place on January 21, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo

The Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators was, for the most part, a story of two teams at different points in their respective evolutions.

The Penguins’ core has Stanley Cup experience, including a championship ring, and the 2013 team, upgraded prior to the trade deadline, is showing every sign of returning to the final.

The Senators have a young nucleus of players, with eyes toward the future.

The Senators were taken to school in this series. The Penguins won Game 5 by a final score of 6-2, taking the series 4-1 over Ottawa.

The Penguins are now off to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2009, when they won the Stanley Cup.

For the Senators, it’s a stern learning experience.

“I think we got a lesson on what it takes to keep playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs from a very good team,” said Senators’ head coach Paul MacLean, as per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.

“I hope they don’t bill us for the clinic.”