Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green has been viewed as a scapegoat in Washington after being booed the home crowd in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss against the Penguins.
Green who is the most dynamic offensive defenseman in the game, scored 31 goals ( 73 points in 69 games) during the regular season but was a non-factor against Pittsburgh, finishing the series with four assists and a plus/minus rating of -5.
What the Penguins did against Washington was make Mike Green play defense. Pittsburgh won the puck possession game and they were attacking offensively at every opportunity they could get.
Green is like a extra forward on the ice and he was taking out of his comfort zone against Pittsburgh.
The Penguins were able to neutralize Green, and they will look to do the same against Hurricanes puck moving defenseman Joni Pitkanen.
Pitkanen is not the same kind of elite player offensively that Green is but he fuels the Hurricanes transition game, often skating with the Eric Staal line. Pitkanen has a team leading 7 assists in the playoffs
While Pitkanen is playing his best hockey of the season at the right time, he has his weaknesses in the

defensive zone. Pitkanen often overpursues down low and struggles against teams who are aggressive on the forecheck.
Bill Cowher to sound siren for Game 4?
Chip Alexander of the News & Observer reports, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher will sound the Hurricanes siren for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Alexander also reports that when Cowher was contacted on who he rooting for following game 7 of the Semi Finals and he texted back “Go Canes”