Call them Da Beard and Da Brush. 

Pittsburgh Steelers running back and artist-in-residence Baron Batch presented team captain Brett Keisel with an abstract painting today after the team's first OTA session of 2013. The Steeler-flavored art features Keisel doing his signature bowhunter sack dance move over a field of 'beard' and Keisel's bird-of-prey eyes glaring out from the hypocycloids. 

Batch said that it only took about five hours to actually paint start to finish, but that he'd been working on the idea for weeks in his head and sketching out designs.

Other stuff from today:

***** Second-round pick Le'Veon Bell of Michigan State on being a big back, but not a "big" back:  

"A lot of people look at me like a big heavy guy but a lot of people forget I'm a 6' 2' guy and at the combine I measured in at 230 [and] I was like 7% body fat. I'm not an out of shape guy. I'm a pretty lean guy."  

***** It's only but Mike Tomlin was already in midseason form in answering reporters questions: 

Does it feel different out there with a lot of new personnel? 

"It feels new and different every year this time. We're working with 90 guys and largely every year 40 or so of them minimum are new guys and so from that standpoint its the same. We're always excited and energized to work with new faces."  

Impressed with anyone?

"Not at all. Football in shorts." 

Any urgency given all the offseason defections?

"No. This time of year you need to have a certain sense of urgency as you build and prepare. Hopefully this year is no different than any other in that regard." 

The latest on Heath Miller & Sean Spence ...

"As of right now, they're on schedule. We're pleased with where they are and we'll just continue to take it day by day and when that day comes, it'll be a good day." 

Where is Jarvis Jones? (healthwise)

"He's in the building. From a health standpoint? He's capable of practicing which he did and had a good day out there." 

***** Antonio Brown says that the Todd Haley offense is easier to grasp after a full year:

"Definitely. Everyone understands Todd's logic. He's got a feel for guys from last year and I think [we're] working together in the right direction."

***** Also, the team today hired former special teams ace Chidi Iwuoma as the team's BLESTO scout.

Playing hockey games which mean so much in the month of May is a new experience for Senators defenseman Marc Methot.

Prior to this postseason, he had not experienced this in his professional career. Having spent his first six NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Methot's only taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs was a brief four-game sweep at the hands of the mighty Red Wings in a 2009 Western Conference quarterfinal series.

This past offseason, Methot was traded to his hometown Senators. As a result, he's teamed up with a former Norris Trophy winning defenseman in Erik Karlsson and regularly drawing assignments against Hart Trophy candidate Sidney Crosby in front of frantic Canadian crowds.

Today, Methot talked about his role in defending Crosby, his captain Daniel Alfredsson and his first taste of postseason success.

How important is being the home team in this series?

“Having that last change is a huge factor for us. It’s going to be a challenge on the road for us and we’re aware of it but that’s why these games at home are so much more important. “

What has it been like defending Crosby?

“We know our matchups. [Erik Karlsson] and I are matched up against Sidney [Crosby]. It’s no secret. We were matched up against him all last game. There’s another match up on [Evgeni] Malkin’s line. Those two lines and possibly even their third, are strong lines. But I love those challenges. That’s why I get up and play this game. It’s certainly a challenge against Sidney Crosby. “

How do you defend Crosby?

“You’ve got to give the guy a little respect in terms of what he’s capable of doing or he’ll burn you. But at the same time, you can’t respect him too much. You’ve got to make his minutes hard minutes. I think for a defenseman such as myself, that’s when you’re doing your job."

How difficult is it to play physical against the Penguins?

“They’re the best team in the league and there’s a reason for that. They’re don’t themselves in vulnerable position. People can say [we’re] not playing physical. We’re trying but they’re the best hockey team in the league. That’s because they have the puck on their stick and they don’t put themselves in vulnerable spots. “

What was it like when Alfredsson scored the tying goal in Game 3?

“It was unbelievable. Of all the guys on the team, it’s our captain that ties that up. What do you say? He’s an unbelievable leader on this hockey team. He gets us up and motivated. He’s arguably the hardest worker in practice. We just follow his lead. “

What is it like playing with Alfredsson?

“He’s probably the best captain I’ve ever had. Everything he does from preparation to how hard he works on the ice. The biggest thing for me was, even in practice, seeing him compete. You see how competitive and passionate he is about the game still. I think that’s why all the guys respect him so much. “

What is it like being in the playoffs after having little success with the Blue Jackets?

“It’s been, at first a little overwhelming in a good way. Especially when you advance to the second round. I find people start recognizing who you are and what your game is all about. It’s only a good thing for each player on this hockey team. For myself personally, I’m just enjoying now. I’m just enjoying every day coming in, especially for the game. Seeing how the fans are and the excitement of the city, that’s huge. “

Did you watch the playoffs anytime you missed them with Columbus?

“Yeah. I loved it. I watched those CBC intros and getting all fired up for the games. I watched all the [Senators] games. “

Was it tough watching playoff games when you didn’t reach the postseason?

“Every player who doesn’t play in the postseason thinks about it. I had a little taste of it when I played in Columbus against Detroit for the one round [in 2009]. For a lot of us, it was kind of like a deer in the headlights feel to it. But now, I was really able to soak it in being my home town. It’ was really cool.”

(Photo: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle/Getty Images)

During Sunday's marathon Game 3, Tomas Vokoun logged the most ice time of any player on either team at 87:39, edging out his Ottawa counterpart, Craig Anderson, by three seconds.

Overtime in the postseason can be exhausting mentally and physically for all players but probably none more so than goaltenders who have to be perfect past regulation for their teams to win.

Today, Vokoun talked about the benefit of an extra day of rest, being a starter at the age of 36 and moving on past the disappointing loss.

Was it nice to have two days off after Game 3?

"Yeah. Definitely. I was pretty tired. It was a long game. Not just physically. It’s a long time to keep your concentration. It’s nice to have one extra day of down time."

During the quarterfinal series against the Islanders, you said you said you wondered if you would ever get a chance to play in another playoff game. What is it like being the starter mid-way through the semifinal round?

"Yeah. That’s one of the advantages for me. I don’t think have to feel any pressure going forward with your career unlike someone who is 27 or 28. That makes it easier. But you still have to go on the ice. You still have to perform. Obviously it’s a game. You train and play all those years. You want to be in a situation like that. You want a chance to make a difference and be in the game. Be a part of playoff hockey. Definitely over the years when I was on the teams I didn’t make the playoffs, you realize how special it is. You always see the guys on TV having fun playing for the Cup and you have no chance. From that perspective, you have to embrace it.”

How has former starter Marc-Andre Fleury handled being the backup?

"Marc’s been great all year with me. We have a really, really good relationship. I’m sure he wants to be playing just like everybody else. He’s handling great. I’m sure we’re going to need Marc again. He’s a great goaltender. That is why this is a team sport. If you play golf or tennis, you win it or lose it yourself. In hockey, that’s why you have 20-plus players on the team. Every night, it’s somebody different who makes the difference. He’s been great personally and professionally."

How do you handle the swings in momentum in contests like Game 3?

"Every game is different and unique by circumstances. Something could happen during the game. I think what is most exciting about playoff hockey is the swings of momentum. Just like when were with the Islanders. It just swings. We were up 2-0 then they were up 4-2. You never know what’s going to happen. We know the game plan pretty good on each other I’m sure. But every game is unique. Sometimes it’s the stuff you can’t even control. Somebody by accident might have a high stick and you have to kill [a four-minute power play]. There’s always surprises."

As a goaltender, how quickly do you have to forget Game 3?

"That’s one of the things you have to be able to do if you play in goal. Obviously that was a tough loss for us under the circumstances. At the end, if you look at it, it’s no different than if we lose 8-1 in regulation. Obviously, at that moment, you’re very frustrated. We were so close. It doesn’t have any bearing on the game tomorrow unless we let it. I think that’s when you have to control yourself and say it’s in the past. Tomorrow, we start 0-0 again. Our chances aren’t any different of winning [Game 4] if we won [Game 3.]"

(Photos: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Playoff Stuff
Penguins - Senators

-"It's a disappointing loss. You're looking at the possibility of 3-0 and the Senators came back into the game -- and the series -- with getting that win." - Dan Bylsma (above) on Game 3.

-Bylsma speaks:

-Brooks Orpik speaks:

-Chris Kunitz speaks:

-Brenden Morrow speaks:

-"It felt pretty bad. I think it felt as bad as it looked. Thankfully, I popped up and feel all right." - Senators forward Jason Spezza on being hit by Craig Adams in overtime of Game 3.

-"We understand we're the last Canadian team that's playing but we just try to worry about the Pittsburgh Penguins and not get too caught up with all of that. We understand there's only one Canadian team left and we're that team." - Senators coach Paul MacLean.

-Senators captain/forward Daniel Alfredsson broke down the play on which he scored his game-tying goal in Game 3.

-“There was some small pieces. I had to come out of the game for I think it was five minutes or so and they picked out the big pieces.” - Senators forward Colin Greening (right) on having fiberglass removed from his face during Game 3.

-“We find ways — they aren’t always pretty — but we find ways to win.” - Senators goaltender Craig Anderson.

Calder Cup Playoffs

-An overtime goal and an assist by Trevor Smith gave the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a 2-1 road win against the Providence Bruins in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in the Calder Cup playoffs Monday. The best-of-seven series, which the Bruins once led, 3-0, is now tied at 3-3. Brad Thiessen made 46 saves in the victory. The Bruins are scheduled to host Game 7 Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.

“To be honest, when I was out there, there’s a verse in the Bible that says, ‘I can do all things through Him that gives me strength.’ I was saying that over and over in my head because I couldn’t do that on my own. It was fun. It was fun to be a part of. I’m just happy to give our team a chance and bring it to a Game 7.” - Thiessen.

-Bruins forward Graham Mink was suspended two games by the AHL for starting a brawl at the end of Game 5.

-After the Jump: The Red Wings take a lead on the Blackhawks and Patrick Roy returns to Colorado?