Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time since 2009, first time in the RMNB era. (Is that a thing? Can we say that?) We knew this series would be entertaining, but I don’t know if I was truly prepared for Game One being the seventy-minute, end-to-end, goal-filled, goat tornado that it was.
Scoring was opened with Swedish aplomb by prom king Andre Burakovsky, popping in a loose puck with a one-timer in the first period.
In the second, the Penguins struck back with two goals in 60 seconds: Ben Lovejoy’s goal after Orlov and Schmidt wrecked one another and Evgeni Malkin’s nifty top-shelf shot. Olli Maata’s blue-line giveaway freed TJ Oshie for a breakaway goal, tying the game at 2 after 40 minutes.
Oshie did it again in the third period, giving the Caps the lead with a backhander to Murray’s five hole, but Nick Bonino got a fortunate bounce off Schmidt’s stick to tie it again. That score got us to the end of #rego and into overtime.
TJ OSHIE WON IT WITH A WRAPAROUND! HAT TRICK PLAYOFF OVERTIME GAME WINNING GOAL!
Caps beat Pens 4-3 in overtime!
- The Caps played a strong first period, stealing momentum after a great starting shift by Pittsburgh. Andre Burakovsky‘s goal was a feather in the cap of the third line that period. I loved it: Andre passed to Chimera, Chimera peppered Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray while Burakovsky darted to the net. The rebound was perfect.
- The second period belonged to the Penguins, who closed the possession gap and then opened one of their own. The Caps were on their heels, which might explain Nate Schmidt‘s collision with Dmitry Orlov, the precipitating event for Ben Lovejoy’s goal. Woof.
- Dammit, I used “woof” too early. Jay Beagle (who was assigned to shut down Malkin, aaaaaalright) caught a stick in his brain in the second period and then jammed another stick in his skate in the third period. That last one nullified a crucial Penguins power play.
- Evgeni Malkin put a hard, clean hit on Tom Wilson, which seems like a waste of time, but whatever. Wilson took exception, grabbing Malkin’s leg like a koala on a tree trunk. They both returned to their feet, and then a strong gust of indoor wind sent Malkin back to the ice. And that’s how Tom Wilson (14 career goals) traded penalties with Evgeni Malkin (295 career goals). Great move by Wilson, but hold on.
no penalty called pic.twitter.com/sW9Us9Ww4j
— steph (@myregularface) April 29, 2016
- This is kneeing. It’s late, dirty, and suspendible. I hope Wilson’s roommate, Michael Latta, is ready to get a sweater.
- Dmitry Orlov left the game under mysterious circumstances (one shift in the third period then riding the bench), so Nate Schmidt took shifts with Brooks Orpik, recently returned from injury. It did not go well. Orpik lost a board battle, and Schmidt, on his weak side, tapped into Nick Bonino’s tying goal. Just a no-good night for Nate, though I’d argue that he’s only to blame for the Lovejoy goal. I’d also argue that Nate Schmidt’s smile is what causes the sun to rise every day so your mileage may vary.
- I heard my entire neighborhood shouting when this happened.
Dagger #CapsPens pic.twitter.com/MrWGPpzUOr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 29, 2016
- The second line, I assume, pulled Crosby duty. They got trounced to the tune of around 30 percent possession. That might just be a grenade they’re gonna have to jump on between 4 and 7 times over the next couple weeks.
- TJ Oshie is a superstar.
Jay, sweetheart, what are you doing? of the night
I love TJ Oshie. THAT IS ALL.
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