Penguins/NHL
Penguins Ground Capitals Offensive Attack When it Mattered
The Washington Capitals had some bad luck in this series.
It’s not just the underlying numbers that say it but the eye test also showed it.
In Game 7, though, there was no bad luck hovering around the Capitals.
The Pittsburgh Penguins just wanted it more and looked like a team that’s been there before.
“I don’t think the urgency was there,” said Alex Ovechkin, who is now 0-3 all-time against Pittsburgh and 3-7 in Game 7’s during his career.
Stunning omission from Ovechkin who was a non-factor for a Capitals team that had so much on the line.
Ovechkin wasn’t the only Capital stating the facts that Washington didn’t play with urgency despite being on the stage of a Game 7.
Again with the Capitals, something just isn’t right here with how good and talented they often are, yet, they haven’t even gotten over the hump of the second round during the Alex Ovechkin era.
The Capitals looked so passive at times defensively, they were playing scared to make a mistake, and offensively they looked to be pressing with chances in tight during the first two periods.
“Last year, we were in a close game, played well in Game 6 and [lose in] overtime,” said goaltender Braden Holtby……. “I think tonight, I don’t think we gave ourselves a chance and we’re going to have to live with that and take full responsibility for that. It’s not what we worked for.”
The Stunning development in Game 7 wasn’t the Penguins coming out on top but how little push there was from the Capitals in the third period.
The Penguins locked down defensively but also kept pushing offensively.
As the clock kept ticking in the third, Pittsburgh looked like a world class boxer who smelled defeat in their opponent. That could have been at the minimum, a two or three goal period for the Penguins.
“You can see they have the pedigree of a Cup champion,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said afterwards of the Penguins.
Shots on goal by the Capitals in third:
3:50 (Karl Alzner)
6:01 (Dmitry Orlov)
13:19 (Evgeny Kuznetsov)
15:04 (John Carlson)
19:05 (T.J. Oshie)
19:51 (Alex Ovechkin)
The Capitals down 2-0 after the Patric Hornqvist goal , went over 7 minutes without a shot during one stretch and then 4:01 without a shot during another.
Pittsburgh held Ovechkin, who had 3 shots in the first two periods, to 0 shots for the first 19:51 of the third period.
What can’t get overlooked is how the Penguins neutralized Nicklas Backstrom in Game 7.
Backstrom in Games 5 and 6, elevated his game in the third period but not tonight.
0 shots on goal in the game and just 2 attempts.
Penguins Got Back to winning the Neutral Zone
Key adjustments for the Penguins in Game 7 was a critical one in winning the neutral zone, something they badly needed to happen and led to the Penguins counter-punching from the middle of the ice more often.
Mike Sullivan is not a big trap guy but Jacques Martin is.[hide]
The Penguins gave the Capitals a different look in running a 1-2-2 but it wasn’t just a sitting back 1-2-2.
They remained aggressive and what the new look did was slow up the Capitals transition game. There was a lot less rush sequences from the Capitals after beating the first wave.
Personnel decisions from Mike Sullivan also paid off tonight.
Carter Rowney gave the Penguins more than Tom Kuhnhackl has been 5 v 5 and Rowney did a lot of the little things well, kept plays alive, and had strong wall play. Was exceptional in using his size.
Scott Wilson replacing Carl Hagelin in the lineup also turned in a strong game. The 4th line was a lot more noticeable in creating offense than it has been.
“This is hands down the best game we’ve played in this year’s playoffs,” Mike Sullivan said.
Hard to disagree with that.
Eastern Conference Final Schedule
Game 1 @ Pittsburgh: Saturday, May 13 | 7:00 p.m. |
Game 2 @ Pittsburgh: Monday, May 15 | 8:00 p.m. |
Game 3 @ Ottawa: Wednesday, May 17 | 8:00 p.m. |
Game 4 @ Ottawa: Friday, May 19 | 8:00 p.m. |
Game 5 @ Pittsburgh: Sunday, May 21 | 3:00 p.m. |
Game 6: @ Ottawa: Tuesday, May 23 | 8:00 p.m. |
Game 7 @ Pittsburgh: Thursday, May 25 | 8:00 p.m. |[/hide]
Sid was terrible. Needs to shoot the puck for F’s sake!
The Sens remind me of Montreal in ’93 with all these OT wins in the playoffs. I agree Streit needs to draw in. Edzo said Maatta isn’t that slow. Really Edzo? I don’t think the Sens can play any better, so that’s good news. Dumo sucked tonight as well.
Heard Eddie say that too. He was clearly drunk
That statement explains why he will never get another coaching gig. People in Chicago hate him on their telecasts as well.
One of Hainsey or Maatta needs to come out. This series is perfect for Streit’s skill set.
It’s early but sure feels like the ’93 Islanders playoff series.
Matta needs to take a seat. He’s been rubbish and looks like he has cement in his skates
Glad you just noticed it now been the case for a long time but gaydogg and some were happy when pens gave him contract extension
Sam, youve been calling Maatta a potential Hall of Famer for years.
Pens lost expect an instant buzz with and article followed up
You suck and you know it
Sam, please tell me about how Sid played tonight. I don’t want him compared to other players, evaluate Sid only. I say he sucked balls and was invisible.
Sid did the little things tonight
Last you checked. I tough he played like he was concussed.
Like what? Tie his skates?
He needs to shoot the damn puck and stop getting fancy
Crosby is gun shy and afraid to go to the net.
Fleury’s fault. Where was the poke check.
the saint is now 1-10 in his past 11 OT playoff games. it was a great move by ryan, but with the saint in, you have zero chance in overtime. it always ends on the first good chance. if the pens go down 0-2, you’ll see murray.
That deflection wasnt the “first good chance” ? Dumbbutt.
it doesn’t matter. with the saint in, the pens always lose in OT within the first 5 mins 80% of the time. he is cursed
Sex Panther: They say it works “always 80% of the time”
60% of the time. Get it right.
i called it. that was a game 1 hangover if i ever saw one.
Blow it up
You also said not to poke check top line forwards… poke check would have shut that down
sorry, that was the perfect move. mattaa was the goof on that play not the saint
Are you defending fleury? Wow
Hope the Pens learned that the Sens will be no joke… led by Bobby Ryan they are a threat. Hopefully Sid shows up Monday… sad the Captain let Geno carry them to OT. Sambitch?
Hustle teams with hardly any skill have their clocks strike 12 when they play good teams. I hope you’re really not worried. Ottawa stinks.
olli mattaa looked like a turtle on that play. just embarrasing
Where is gaydogg got to love that Mattaa and his contract with pens when same said should’ve packaged him long time ago
You never said that
Yeah I never said that when I wanted mattaa and malkin traded anyways go to bed now you have school tomorrow
Nope, you never said that. And who goes to school on a Sunday?
Lol Bobby Ryan. Good call Sam.
Fuck… Bobby Ryan… sambitch?
Yeah amazing goal thanks to mattaa
If Crosby played this isn’t even a conversation
How many offsides does this malkin line do.
Was the same story when Neal was here too
Hey zeroTool incase your watching your hockey on Canadian channel and not on NBC garbage you wannabe American. Did you add tochett schooling malkin on several occasions. That doesn’t happen with sid tho yet your Russian is paid more
You mean Malkin? The guy in the ice that actually scored the goal? That guy? The player with two cups so far? Will pass Tocchet if he wins here? That same Malkin? No…. what happened?
the saint is 1-9 in his last 10 playoff OT’s. lets hope he doesnt let in another 50 foot wrister tonight.
Nice play on goal by Hainsey. Credit where credit is due.
Fucken Hainsey
Let me guess malkin is amazing he scored
Box score
No but he showed up
Hes amazingly clutch. But that trait is only a myth in Montreal.
Look who’s back your mom gave you the news pens score so you went back in living room to watch .quick text message your pj buddy stain so he shows up here too
When all game he has been shitt. And expect him to score when he is playing a lot of minutes chances are he might score and make Bandwagons forget about the shit performance that he puts night in and night out with the help of the media. Another Democrat move. And idiots like you guys make players like him and some other clowns price tag goes up
Hey shitstain you think pens need your favorite player letang?
Yoda’s not going to be happy with Fleury’s save%.
There’s gotta be a beer league player in Pittsburgh that the Pens could get to spell Hainsey for a game or two.
Malkin’s brain is the size of a pea. Insufferable stupidity.
What about chubby
How is he doing Vs his old teammate phaneuf
Geno that bitch.
pens got lucky on that one. that wraparound should have counted. hainsey sucks
Pens losing I know there is a big chance stain might turned his TV off already but in case he hasn’t. Tell me how our 9.5m investment doing tonight?
Non, non, non…. you’re the one we’ve established turns off the tv
Yeah exactly fake news typical Democrat move. Put your faults on others and make sure you work hard to convince others it’s not you at fault. While I am the one pointing pens arena was half empty when there was 7 mins left and this board there was no stain or npl.
Pageau > ryan
Why because he finished the tap in Ryan created for him?
It’s bag of shit Malkin tonight.
malkin sucks. the pens should trade malkin for ovechkin this offseason. i’m tired of watching that lazy bum. at least if we got ovi we could watch a different lazy bum with a bad contract instead of the same one for the past 12 years.
Me too, two cups with a conn smythe is enough. Let’s get the guy that can’t make it out of round two. That will fix all the failure that goes back to the end of the second
keep living in 2009
This is where BoxScore schools us about the value of special teams in the playoffs
Here comes the pens scary power play. I wonder if they’ll pass it around the perimeter and then force a bad shot.
ITs brutal right now. So fucken ugly
Another goal for Hainsey
What a play by Ryan!
Leafs in 6, am i right Sam?
Wonder why DePaoli doesnt want to do a series preview article… #CapsIn5
2 hours until the game starts and still no article.
Better than turning your tv off 2 hours before the game ends
Owned!
i’m anticipating a crappy night from the pens. i fear a game 7 hangover
This makes me feel good about tonight.
I wish there was something to write an article about? Come on D, write an article about Murray being healthy and getting his job back.
Bobby Ryan struggled to score this year as he was asked to change his game by coach Guy Boucher. Now he’s killing it in the playoffs… sammich?
Yeah I’m sure he did a good job in the 2nd round
You mean “last you checked”… we know you’re ignorant on the subject because you have a tendency to turn your TV off in the middle of games.
Dude he was garbage in the second round he shined a bit in the first round but when team needed him he was now where to be found and Pageau carried the team and with 1/3 if Ryans salary. And taking about ignorant there is no ignorant like you are stain here. Dumb Bandwagons you come and point me Ryan doing good in first round few weeks ago well I hope fuckk team paid him to play full season like that not 1 week or 2. If he was that good this year why was he getting juggled between 3rd… Read more »
Unlike pens fans they were losing 2-0 Vs caps and half the arena was empty by the 7 min mark in 3rd and 90% of people here was in bed. While caps lost 2-0 last game and their fans were still in the building. Now go suckk a dickk with stain. Or come up with stupid case like Habs arena is empty during game when it’s a pregame warmup pic
Dude, you turned your fucklng TV off lol
There are only two periods in this chapter of “Going Full Sam”
So Pageau had four goals in one game and got that he’s better than Ryan? You’re the kind of idiot that would throw money at Chris Kontos for a great preseason game lol
Typical dumb Democrats Michelle Obama demanding trump to have healthier foods for kids schools. But what did they do past 8 years when they had the power.
You mean the let’s move program you dumb fuck? Lol
While the results early were debatable there was a trend noted in the youngest children involved were obesity rates seem to be dropping.
She’s simply asking him to continue this. How fucken stupid are you?
I love how you come out here to stir up political partisanship when you don’t know a fucken thing about politics on either side of the boarder.
Jobs, Security, Education, Taxes, Healthcare. After you solve that, then go after the low hanging fruit like school lunches.
Probably need fo solve Russia first.
Healthcare and school lunches are mutually exclusive? I mean one of the better ways to improve healthcare is to improve the health of the people. I think there is a relationship here.
Yeah maybe close down some KFC would be a good start and have every American doing 50 push ups and sit ups every morning. Mandatory
The Nashville PK Subbans are killing it. Imagine how good the Habs might have been if their GM wasn’t a fucken moron and had fired the coach and subsequently their GM before they traded Subban!
Nashville is too deep and solid on the backend. I don’t see them losing.
Whoever comes out of the west finals is going to win the cup.
I’d assume whoever wins game three of the cup final will win.
Statistically speaking it’s a good bet.
You know what else is a good bet? Someone from the east winning, because you called the west.
James Nealis such a cheap puzzy
Just watched my first few minutes of NBA this season. 1 point Wizards win. Came down to the buzzer. Half the dudes on the court were barely sweating. Such a bad sport.
Last I checked, no new article.
James Tanner covers the Capitals on hockeybuzz. It’s hilarious reading his recent blogs. He’s so bitter. He’s saying the Senators will take it in six because “the Penguins are terrible and very beatable. They should have lost in 4 last series”. I can understand being salty, but part of me thinks they should just be used to it by now.
Who cares at this point, look at this gem. John Carlson: “You just can’t stop thinking of how much it hurts.” I’ll be drinking those salty tears all summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay_vZBqDjkw
http://www.tsn.ca/penguins-sticking-with-fleury-in-net-1.750062
you got to stick with the saint until he melts down. this is easily the best he has played in his career. i do feel we will see murray before it’s all done but right now the saint either has some good ritalin or a good shrink and he’s deserves the net.
Let me know if you need my address to send the check. I prefer a cashier’s check – i dont’ trust your personal check not bouncing. $5k!!!
https://media.giphy.com/media/SleotgmotWahW/giphy.gif
btw, i have a running bet with dabridge where ever he may be. if the pens win the cup with the saint in net, i will attend a game next year with dabridge while wearing a fleury jersey and a yoda mask. i will hold myself to that.
i’m decided today i’m going to show some respect. the caps are scumbags and #29 came in and did his job. all hail st.fleury!
What we learned.
So sweet, I could drink their tears.
https://tedstake.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/2017/05/12/this-loss-hurts
that’s fantastic. love that they can’t get past round #2. ever.
caps need to blow it up
Zero, what happened to Dejan?
According to the comments on the page he is sick, may be choking on the Karma for his snarky articles
He did write some snarky article. Dude’s lucky he didnt Jix Pens’ Nation.
I wish D would write an article, next series starts in just over 24 hours lol. Guys work ethic is Kovelev-esque.. well, outside of Pittsburgh Kovalev anyway.
Sabres hire Guerin yet?
Does anyone know the last time Sam checked?
And it it’s not too late, Sulli needs a find a few shifts for Ross Lupaschuk.
Ugh, why open that old wound? Maybe they can get Kris Beech some shifts too lol
Way to date yourselves. Thats at least 5 years before Sam became a fan.
Sivek should get some reps centering the 4th line.
Him or Milan Kraft? What a crap time for the team. Pens trade Jagr for a bag of dicks and draft a bum like Kraft and this was supposed to be the core… none of them had any impact at all lol
Morozov that left the team for Russia
You suck at everything man… Morozov was a legit NHLer when he played. Guy had the makings of a solid top 6 scoring winger, bloomed a little late be he looked pretty good his last few years. He left the NHL because of the work stoppage and the lack of clarity around when it would end.
Before waiting until falling behind a game or two Sullivan should get Streit in for Maatta
See we all bitch.. Why? Because we know the team was capable of playing much better. Last night they proved they are still the team to beat when they turn the switch in.
I bitched the whole first six games that the Pens were being outhit, beaten to the puck, and outhit.
That stopped last night in Game 7 and kudos to Sully or Martin for the changes.
Oh yea and that guy Fleury did well, too!!
Fleury is 12/1 to win the Conn Smythe. Very good value imo. Geno is 6/1
Franson to the Leafs, according to Sam.
#LastIChecked
Sam..WRONG AGAIN…Ovie no world championships……
It’s easier to take note of when he’s right. Then you just never have to post anything.
gold!
That should eliminate one of Sam’s redundant posts now.
he faked an injury to make it look like he was hurt against the pens.
I like how, in the instant buzz, DePaoli uses a Sabres logo that hasn’t been used in 7 years.
I like how Botterill wasnt a real contender for the job according to league circles
“Last DePaoli checked,” those in teh know said Botterill wasn’t a real contender.
Lazy journalism at its best. I’m sure he was changing a diaper when he posted that.
Or eating out of one… haha
caps should trade ovechkin. one thing sam is right about, it’s a bad idea to build your franchise around a russian. they only play when they feel like it.
I’m honestly shocked you continue to show your face here after being wrong time after time after time after time after time after time after time.
you haven’t been right about anything yet. i was right last year when i said as soon as murray was in and the saint was out the pens would win the cup. i still don’t believe they can win the cup with the saint in goal and i still believe that by the end of all of this, murray will be back in the net. the pens still have 2 more rounds to go.
Was that before or after you clamoured “blow it up” even after Murray took the goal? Also I am gonna interject before you even attempt to make the same bullshit excuse… your reply here is “but I said once Murray was in blah, blah” which 1st off is BS and second doesnt make sense. If it was only the goaltender you had issues on why would you be preaching to blow the whole roster up? for years? “Oh I hate the goalie in Pittsburgh and the only way to solve it is to trade all 18 skaters including 3 of… Read more »
You’re such a complete bullshittter. All you did was say they couldn’t win with this group and it was time to start over. You and Sam make a living out of being galactically stupid.
Thank God pens didn’t build around malkin and did around sid
I heard Botterill wants to hire Tocchet and possibly trade for Fleury.
I would hate to lose Tocchet… If Buffalo became a trading partner to help the Pens goaltender scenario I wouldnt scoff at that tho
Unless Ulfie wants out of NY 😉
Ulfie is the Head Coach for the Charlotte Checkers.
Whoops… I thought he was still in NY, my bad
Pens need 1-2 top-4 Dman this off-season.
Won’t argue with that! The D is a worry point right now and with Letangs lack of reliability I hope they can add something to the back end. That said there is a lot of hockey left so I won’t worry about it until June hopefully.
Pens are going to lose some character and experience but have a chance to be even better next year with a few moves.
I am most excited to see what Sprong will add
I can’t even get there yet – plenty of time to discuss the offseason and next season after this one is over – I’m still enjoying this far too much. Let the Caps talk about adding a d-man and watching their young guy.
They got their guy… Shattenkirk.
Of course they do. The one they claim to have is completely unreliable.
Letang might be done. We still don’t know how he will respond once he plays again.
Hey yoda… did you lose your shirt on that vegas bet? What was it?? MAFs SV% vs Washington to be .864% or something stupid like that?
Oh nevermind, you welch on your bets!
no i don’t. i met dabridge and gave him a case of beer when i lost.
Not to mention you and I have $5k riding on Murray starting in goal on saturday.
the actual line was .892 i think. yes i lost.
Boterill is officially a Sabre, expected to be announced today – scratch that, D beat me to it #capsin5
“Internet Hug; and a good fisting for those looking for it”
lol… you can’t say f i s t i n g? HAHAHA
This page cracks me up… “F i s t i n g” if off the books but Caps in 5 is acceptable LMAO
Pens win despite Fleury’s horrendous rebound control, right DePaoli?
Caps in 5, am I right DePaoli, lol.
So once again behind American hero Bryan Rust is always another American with the game winner assist. Good job Jake Guentzel.
So once again behind an American there is always a Canadian making him look good. Good job jacques Martin
Canada behind America. Sounds about right.
Jacques Martin 0 Stanley Cups as a head coach… Suddenly he has one and it’s due to the brilliance of Mike Sullivan! Take all the time you need with that #snowfrogfromfakecanada I just don’t get how you can’t see that not everyone flying my flag (well I guess in this case Jacques probably flies that stupid blue thing you love) is superior to everyone. On average my country ices the better teams with some great coaches but believe it or not much of the world has caught up in a big way. I appreciate the US game because it has… Read more »
Caps got MAF’ed
https://cdn.meme.am/cache/instances/folder974/500x/49546974.jpg
Fleury = Vezina killer
Yoda!