The Pittsburgh Penguins take an early series lead on enemy ice after withstanding 50 minutes of Washington’s attack and making their few offensive chances count. Also, the refs helped.
The Caps looked a mess in the first ten minutes but escaped the first period with a tie. Before the second period was 64 seconds old, Pittsburgh had a two-goal lead, both goals belonging to Sidney Crosby.
Alex Ovechkin struck back before second intermission to finish a stirring sequence. The Caps were furious after that: owning most of play until Evgeny Kuznetsov potted to tie it with twelve minutes left in regulation. But known Caps killer Nick Bonino got a lonely breakaway to restore the Penguins lead and secure the win.
Penguins beat Caps 3-2. Pens lead the series 1-0.
- The Caps sucked in the first ten minutes, but I really liked the underlying pattern of their game after that. That pattern’s not foolproof though, and it was a few isolated mistakes that allowed Sidney Crosby to be so deadly and the Pens to win. Chippy play in neutral and a bad rebound read by Holtby gave Crosby the opportunity, but credit to the man: he does not waste his chances.
- Yes, that was suspect coverage by Braden Holtby on the second goal, though I still think he’s been good overall. That first series was chaos, and he stole two games. He’ll steal another soon.
- Andre Burakovsky looked determined to score every time he touched the ice, but the puck just wouldn’t behave. He fanned and missed in volume: eight attempts, one on net.
- Man, that Ovi goal. John Carlson’s huge hit created space, then Oshie and Eller’s puck movement created more, and Alex Ovechkin doesn’t blow chances like that. He’s much like the subject of my first bullet in that way.
- David Letterman, legendary former host of the Late Show, was at the game. I love Dave. Much of the music and comedy I love today I saw and heard first through him. It was a wonderful touch when Caps organist Bruce Anderson played a Warren Zevon tune for him.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s tying goal was inevitable, and it was fun as hell to watch. The determination by all Caps on the ice to keep on attack, Matt Niskanen a risky pinch to keep the puck in, sporting that that D.C. P.M.A., then sending the puck to Kuzy on the weak side. That’s good stuff. I was so certain the goal was coming, I turned off the anxiety for a moment and just enjoyed playoff hockey. It was nice. It did not last.
- Please note: this is not a slash. That’s an atrocious call in a tied Game One with two Pens power plays and none for the Caps.
https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/857778144107016193
- Brett Connolly got a light load, again. Seems to me that, for spurious reasons, Connolly got a bad rap from the first series. Now on the fourth line, Trotz is not using him for those big defensive draws that Beagle takes. If Trotz doesn’t trust him in the D zone in close playoffs, I suppose I can respect that, but I’m certain Connolly will do well with more ice time.
- Nate Schmidt and John Carlson got matched up against the Kessel line and kept it just about even. With Orlov/Niskaken assigned to the top line, that leaves the Caps with opportunities to use their depth as a hidden dagger. They know that, and they’ll do it.
- Did Kevin Shattenkirk and Brooks Orpik blow coverage on the Bonino goal? I don’t think so. Maybe Shat was too far out of the play, but Orpik’s read seemed right– it was just too fast for him. I could be wrong though. Your thoughts? Beyond just saying they’re the Escape Goat pair. Obviously they’re the Escape Goat pair.
- The Caps kept pressing late, including a desperate flurry of scoring chances on a supine Marc-Andre Fleury with under three minutes left. The refs blew the play dead while the puck was loose. So. Yeah.
Chief O’Brien has tennis elbow of the night
Aside from a handful of mistakes, the Caps played excellently. They got shot volume and they got shot quality. The Penguins had the advantage of friendly officiating and converting their chances. That’s frustrating, but that’s hockey. If they play that game four more times, they’ll win this series.
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