Photo: Justin K. Aller
This is about as must-win as a playoff game can get without it being an actual elimination game. Kris Letang is out suspended and Olli Maatta is still out concussed, so the Penguins defense is prime for getting scored on. If the Caps play another game like they did on Monday night, we’ll be coming out of Pittsburgh all tied up 2-2.
Barry Trotz is for some reason playing Mike Weber tonight. He’s going to be terrible and you and I are going to be mad. Let’s hope that we get scoring from all four lines and that Braden Holtby doesn’t stop being Braden Holtby.
Might die of stress. Liveblog below.
Pregame
A familiar face will be out tonight for the Pens.
Just saw Eric Fehr walking around Consol in his suit, a clear indication that he is not going to play tonight.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 4, 2016
I like your style.
@russianmachine Showed up yesterday. In full kit ready for tonight pic.twitter.com/FVgbq9avmp
— Rich (@FunkyHonkyCDXX) May 4, 2016
Tonight’s lines.
Caps lines for Game 4 in Pittsburgh:
8-19-77
90-92-14
25-10-65
26-83-43
9-74
27-2
6-4
Holtby vs. Murray— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 4, 2016
First Period
Beagle goes shelf on Murray to make it 1-0 Caps.
What. A. Beaut. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/bIFGnzgj2u
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 5, 2016
Braden is ok. That’s all that matters.
Hagelin gets pushed into Holtby pic.twitter.com/fc164WpNBy
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 5, 2016
It’d be nice if we could stay out of the box.
Chimera for tripping Crosby with 23.1 seconds left in 1st. Pens have 4-on-3 PP for six seconds here, o-zone draw. #CapsPens
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) May 5, 2016
CFTC: PP needs to get back on track. Trotz has done nothing to adjust to the Pens PK. Otherwise, good even period.
Second Period
76 year old Matt Cullen makes it 2-1 Pens………
Ovechkin loses battle off face off. Backstrom gets beat into the zone by Matt Cullen. Breakaway. Score. 2-1 Pens pic.twitter.com/NuqyA5gf8s
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) May 5, 2016
Jumps and makes head contact. No call.
Malkin comes high on this hit on Winnik pic.twitter.com/xN6YTE7zzS
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) May 5, 2016
Williams to Carlson. Tie ball game.
John Carlson with the snipe to tie it pic.twitter.com/iKOqZjOwom
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 5, 2016
CFTC: The first 15 minutes of this period were vomit-worthy. Horrible. We tied it up though. Need a much better 3rd to bring this one back home tied up at 2 games a piece.
Third Period
Intermission news from friend of RMNB, Elyse.
Washed my hair with face wash this morning. Gonna play it off like it's the cool thing to do in your mid-twenties.
— Elyse (@ElyseBee) May 4, 2016
Huge hit to the PK if he’s hurt. Please return Daniel.
#Caps Daniel Winnik is being evaluated (upper body).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) May 5, 2016
HUGE KILL.
Alzner out, back to even strength. 1:38 left in regulation. #RockTheRed
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 5, 2016
CFTC: We brought it in the third as usual, but to no result. Please give us an OT miracle one time hockey gods.
Overtime
And Barry Trotz just lost the series for the Capitals. Told you so Barry. Idiotic.
Final score: 3-2 Pens.
