Game information/links
Game preview
The Washington Capitals will face a hollowed-out version of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon.
With the Penguins clinching the second spot in the Metropolitan Division on Thursday, head coach Dan Muse essentially said f-it and will sit all of the team’s big stars, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, against the Capitals.
The decision is a major boon for the Caps, who likely need to win out to still have a chance to make the postseason. Their only viable path now appears to be the Metropolitan Division’s third spot, where, if they made it, they would play the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is matching Muse with the same lineup he used in the team’s 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week. Ilya Protas will get his second NHL game, while Charlie Lindgren remains out due to an upper-body injury.
With three games remaining, the Philadelphia Flyers lead the Capitals 92 to 89, with four Metro teams all in the hunt, including the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets. Per @DataDrivenHockey, a win today could drive the Capitals’ playoff odds up to as high as 30 percent while a loss could finally be a dagger in the heart.
While the Penguins’ lineup news is great for the Capitals’ playoff hopes, it’s horrendous both for ABC, which is airing today’s game on national television, and for hockey fans wanting to see Alex Ovechkin and Crosby play against each other for the 100th time in their careers and a potential final time in Pittsburgh. Ovechkin is unsure whether he will retire after the season, saying he will make his decision in the summer. The two teams will play again in Washington on Sunday.
Puck drop is at 3 pm on ABC.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins
Goalie matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Beauvillier-Strome-Ovechkin and Fehervary-Sandin get the start for the Caps.
Dan Muse says that the Penguins players being held out have “credible injuries,” reports Leah Hextal. Yeah okay.
Forgive me for not writing much, but this has been a very sleepy and low-event first period.
At intermission: The Caps and Penguins are tied 0-0. Capitals are leading in shots 9-1.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Ilya to Aliaksei. SCOAR!
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Aliaksei Protas (25). Assists: T. Wilson (31), I. Protas (2). Time: 1:39
Anthony Mantha ties it 26 seconds later as his shot goes off Chychrun’s pants and in. That’s the Capitals team I know and love.
1-1 tie
Goal: Anthony Mantha (32). Assists: R. Shea (27), T. Novak (26). Time: 2:05
Why you have to tweet this, Chris? lmao
Five minutes into the second period, the Capitals have 13 of the first 16 shots on goal in the game.
PLD to Leonard and the rookie scores. Silovs makes the initial save but takes his glove over the goal line. It needed a goal review at the TV timeout.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Ryan Leonard (19). Assists: P. Dubois (13), C. McMichael (31). Time: 6:02
Dubois off the ice after that goal. Uh oh.
NASTY take to the net by Ilya leads to Tom Wilson’s 30th. Why did it take so long for him to come up?
3-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Tom Wilson (30). Assists: I. Protas (3), A. Protas (27). Time: 8:08
3-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Noel Acciari (13). Assists: E. Soderblom (6), S. Girard (16). Time: 11:47
Eleven seconds later, Leonard regains the Capitals’ two-goal lead.
4-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Ryan Leonard (20). Assists: C. Hutson (6), J. Sourdif (20). Time: 11:58
A hustling Miro draws a holding penalty on Kevin Hayes.
Power play
Kevin Hayes holding penalty at 14:43
Oh no… after a somewhat decent Capitals powerplay, out of the penalty box, Hayes scores on a semi-breakaway, beating Thompson with a huge shot from the left circle.
4-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Kevin Hayes (4). Assists: R. Shea (28). Time: 16:50
Washington Capitals officially eliminated from Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot
At intermission: Capitals lead 4-3. Shots on goal are 25-9 Capitals. Yes, Logan Thompson has given up three goals on nine shots.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Huge glove save by LT.
Rasmus Sandin leaves the game and is in serious pain after being hip-checked off a faceoff by Brazzeau at 5:02. He was heavily favoring his left leg. Capitals are furious.
Make-up goal seconds later.
Power play
Justin Brazeau hooking penalty at 5:16
5-3 Washington Capitals
PPG: Ilya Protas (1). Assists: C. Hutson (7). Time: 5:56
Anthony Mantha hooked on a breakaway, he’s getting a penalty shot.
Logan Thompson stops Mantha on the penalty shot.
Silovs off for an extra attacker with 4:32 remaining.
OVi’s 929th goal of his career!
6-3 Washington Capitals
ENG: Alex Ovechkin (32). Assists: T. Wilson (31). Time: 16:22
Caps win 6-3. Read RMNB’s recap:
Caps beat Penguins 6-3 to stay alive in Ilya Protas’s statement game
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