Washington Capitals ( 41-22-7 89 pts) v.s. Pittsburgh Penguins (38-23-9 85 pts)
Game Recap:
The Washington Capitals begin a four game road trip tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This classic and intense rivalry continues as the first period featured some heavy hitting and tight defensive play between the two teams. However, the Capitals struck first at the 19:27 mark on a Jakub Vrana shot which was beautifully placed under the bar. The goal was set up on a beautiful passing sequence from Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie. The Capitals would end the first period with a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, the momentum between the teams exchanged from the Capitals towards the Penguins. The Capitals took a 2-0 lead on Jakub Vrana’s second goal of the game and 21st on the season. However, the Penguins scored three goals within a span of a minute and forty-eight seconds. Two of the three goals were scored by Sidney Crosby who now has thirty three goals on the season. The other goal was scored by Jake Guentzel. After two periods, the Pittsburgh Penguins would take a 3-2 lead.
The third period saw the Penguins adding onto their lead on a Power Play goal by Phil Kessel. This period featured milestone moments from both teams. Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins notched the 1,000th point plateau in his career. Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals recorded his 1,200th point in his career on a power play goal by John Carlson. The Penguins would add an empty net goal from Jared McCann to seal the victory for the Penguins and end the Capitals seven game win streak.
Lineups:
Washington Capitals:
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana-Nicklas Backstrom-TJ Oshie
Carl Hagelin-Lars Eller-Brett Connoly
Andre Burakovsky-Nic Dowd-Travis Boyd
Michal Kempny-John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov-Matt Niskanen
Brooks Orpik-Nic Jensen
Braden Holtby
Phoenix Copley
Scratches: Dmitry Jaskin, Chandler Stephenson, Christian Djoos
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Jared McCann-Sidney Crosby-Jake Guentzel
Theordor Blueger-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Kessel
Dominik Simon-Nick Bjugstad-Patrik Hornqvist
Joseph Blandisi-Matt Cullen-Garrett Wilson
Brian Doumalin-Zach Trotman
Jack Johnson-Justin Schultz
Marcus Petterson-Erik Gudbrannson
Matt Murray
Casey DeSmith
Scratches: Kris Letang, Jusso Rikkola, Chad Ruhwedel, Bryan Rust, Zach Aston-Reese
Injuries: Olli Maata
First Period:
Pittsburgh Penalty -:50- Jake Guentzel, 2 minutes for holding
Washington Penalty -2:33- Lars Eller, 2 minutes for kneeing
Washington Goal -19:27- Jakub Vrana (20) assisted by Nicklas Backstrom (48) & TJ Oshie (22)
End of 1st – WSH –1 PIT –0
Shots 8 9
Faceoffs 8/20 12/20
Hits 13 16
PP 0/1 0/1
Second Period:
Washington Penalty -1:37- Alex Ovechkin, 2 minutes for high sticking
Washington Goal -10:24- Jakub Vrana (21) assisted by Dmitri Orlov (21) & TJ Oshie (23)
Pittsburgh Goal -12:37- Jake Guentzel (35) assited by Jared McCann (14)
Pittsburgh Goal -13:24- Sidney Crosby (32) assisted by Justin Schultz (11)
Washington Penalty -13:55- Nicklas Backstrom, 2 minutes for tripping
Pittsburgh Goal (Power Play) -14:25- Sidney Crosby (33) assisted by Evgeni Malkin (48) & Phil Kessel (47)
End of 2nd – WSH – 2 PIT – 3
Shots 23 21
Faceoffs 18/43 25/43
Hits 24 33
PP 0/1 1/3
Third Period:
Washington Penalty -4:06- Tom Wilson, 2 minutes for roughing
Pittsburgh Penalty -4:06- Erik Gudbranson, 2 minutes for roughing
Washington Penalty -10:33-Alex Ovechkin, 2 minutes for too many men on the ice
Pittsburgh Goal (Power Play) -11:56- Phil Kessel (23) assisted by Justic Schultz (12) & Evgeny Mailkin (49)
Pittsburgh Penalty -12:56- Dominik Simon, 2 minutes for too many men on the ice.
Washington Goal (Power Play) -14:02-John Carlson (11) assisted by Alex Ovechkin (32) & Nicklas Backstrom (49)
Pittsburgh Goal (Empty Net) -19:04- Jared McCann (17) Unassisted
End of 3rd – WSH –3 PIT – 5
Shots 41 30
Faceoffs 27/59 32/59
Hits 34 42
PP 1/2 2/4
Next Up:
Washington Capitals (41-22-7 89 pts) v.s. Philadelphia Flyers (34-27-8 76 pts)
Pittsburgh Penguins (38-23-9 85 pts) v.s. Buffalo Sabres (30-30-9 69 pts)
That was actually a VERY close and hard faught game and depending on puck luck could’ve very easily went either way. The empty netter late in the 3rd makes the game look different from the reality in which the game was played. Once AGAIN, these two teams are gonna make another PHENOMENAL 2nd Round in the Easter Dividion! It’s sad that we have to see two of the best teams play eachother and get eliminated so early EVERY SINGLE SEASON! They desperately need to switch their playoff seeding and format so the 1 seed plays the 8. 2 plays the 7. 3 plays the 6 and 4 plays the 5 in both the East and the West! What they have now is moronic!
Hi Jimmy! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
It definitely was a hard fought game last night, but at the end of the day it came down to mistakes. It happens. It’s hockey lol.
As for the playoffs these two teams will have a great series if they faceoff again. And yes, I think everyone here at TXHT agress that the playoff format needs to be changed back to the old 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 Format. But the owners don’t want to do it which is a shame.
Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts Jimmy. 🙂
– Michael