Penguins Take 3-1 Series Lead
It was another nail biter and it was the Penguins coming out on top for the third straight game as Patric Hornqvist scored 2:34 into overtime, delivering a 3-2 OT win in Game 4.
The Penguins in taking a commanding 3-1 series lead can wrap up the series Saturday night in Washington.
Matt Murray winning his sixth post-season start, stopped 34 of 36 shots. A key save in overtime from Murray was a 2-on-1 stop on Mike Richards, a 1:42 into overtime.
Washington out-shot Pittsburgh 36-33, also holding a slight advantage in shot attempts 68-61.
After squandering a missed opportunity in Game 3 where they badly out-played the Penguins, the Capitals squandered another opportunity in Game 4 with Kris Letang out of the lineup. They just couldn’t finish again.
“We didn’t take advantage of it,” Caps coach Barry Trotz said. ” They knew everybody had to step up. I thought they did. They got some timely stops.”
Trevor Daley who logged a team-high 28:41 of ice time, scored his 1st goal of the playoffs at 9:16 of the first period to tie the game at 1-1. Matt Cullen put the Penguins ahead 2-1, 3:07 into the second period, beating Braden Holtby for a breakaway goal.
John Carlson then tied the game at 2-2 late in the second period off a gaffe from Derrick Pouliot down low and Conor Sheary losing his man in front.
The back and forth game saw the teams play a scoreless third period. In overtime the chances early went to Washington but it was Pittsburgh that finished their Grade-A chance and Washington didn’t that has become a key storyline in this series.
What the Penguins also did on their overtime goal was capitalize on another miscue from a bottom-pairing Capitals defenseman, this time being Mike Weber who left the puck on a platter for Hornqvist.
“Unlucky play more than anything,” Barry Trotz said in defending Mike Weber.
Hornqvist in netting the OT winner, also had an assist for a multi-point game and had a team-high 6 hits.
“It’s hard not to love this guy,” Mike Sullivan said of Hornqvist, also saying it was a “thrill” to see Hornqvist score.
With Trevor Daley logging over 28 minutes, playing the role of Kris Letang, one other defenseman played over 20 minutes in Brian Dumoulin at 22:10.
Sullivan didn’t think it was a perfect effort from the group but praised the group in doing a terrific job in his eyes.
That’s being a bit generous from Sullivan’s end but aside from Derrick Pouliot, the group was solid.
“I think the group of them did a tremendous job,” said Sullivan.
One player on the backend who had a very strong game was Ian Cole. Cole was extremely poised with the puck in not rushing things and his reads down low were very good.
Another reason the Penguins are up 3-1, their bottom-pairing defensemen have elevated their play, Washington’s have not.
While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have not been big factors offensively in the series, Nick Bonino has out-played the Capitals top-2 centers, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and tonight in Game 4, Matt Cullen’s breakaway goal in the second period was a blown coverage in the neutral zone by Backstrom in losing Cullen. To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Anyone think its time yoda changes lovable alien creatures in his pic and renames himself “Cleeborp”? For those wondering what I am talking about…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXLK2_Bm9_U
Sens to make choice between yeo or Boudreau
Guess they haven’t been disappointed by enough canadian fraud coaches up there in your Nation’s capital yet.
And still ZERO people on a Pens blog care who will be coaching a Canadian non contender next year. I guess saying Canadian and non contender was kinda retundant.
Noted and filed under W for “Whogivesafuck”
None of you will ever be the fan Garritt Cole is
Benny said Vogelsong was a big fan.
Who is this Garritt Cole guy? I’m familiar with Gerrit Cole who pitches for the Pirates but I’very never heard of Garritt Cole. Can he play LW on Sid’s line?
Trump
If you think this teams built for playoff hockey your nuts…..oh wait…..
Where did I hear that before…oh right, Yoda and Maloni have been all over it for months about how the Pens were to small and too soft to survive in the playoffs.
Dejan’s column “Pouliot was a train wreck”.
“Pouliot looked pretty good” -Zero.
I can literally go back and show you where I said he was fine… in game three asshole. I didnt say he looked good last night in anyway shape or form. I see youve graduated from the yoda school of dumbfuckery!
Actually, let me rephrase that… I disagreed with your “train wreck” assessment of him in game 3. That was the extent of my praise for him.
You know how he is – he’s an eternal goal post mover part time, when he’s taking time out from blaming Fleury for Sid crumbling in the playoffs like it’s his job.
Stanch, do you have any other observations about ice hockey other than Sid sucks. You have literally been on this board as long as I have ( 5 years) and I can’t remember a single discussion thread you’ve started.
It’s the most pertinent observation. $12 million for a choke artist. It’s worth bringing to the forefront. Have you started a discussion other than “fleury sucks – this and that?” 5 years. Haven’t seen it.
Not true and you know it.
It’s 100% true. You’re another one – two months ago, the team needed to be completely re-vamped. All over it. That’s your analysis outside of “Fleury sucks.” Poignant and hard-hitting.
Yet he is please with 9.5m 3rd line center
He’s no Toews. Or Canadian FRAUD Sidney Crosby – $12 million for half a season and 1 playoff round – now he’s our 4th line center.
Just tweaking you zero. Needed to get some early morning F-bombs out of you.
Why do you keep saying I’m dumb? I told you Murray was good and I told you the pens were going up 3-1. Looks to me like I’m the genius around here.
You said the pens would finish worse than last year, no?
they have a new goaltender and a new coach. things change
Literally 2 months ago, you said the entire team needed to be blown up. not tweaked. Not adjusted. “Blown up.”
Pretty sure you were still saying no better than 9th or 10th even after the coaching change.
The answer to that question should be pretty obvious.
LOL, no one said Murray was bad… this is why you are dumb. There was a fair question as to whether or not a 21 year old was ready for the playoffs. You did your whole “throw enough shit at a wall eventually something stuck” thing that you do. You also said the Pens would miss the playoffs, finish 10th or 11th at best. Oh and you have also been suggesting they “blow it up” for 3 years or more now… dumbfuck.
Now i agree last night Pouliot was awful. Thought shultz was solid though.
Wooooo LETS GO PENS! Who else is feeling good this morning?
I feel tired. These 8pm OT games are extra-killers when you’re actually in attendance.
Did you wear your suit and take your limo to game?
he was wearing pens jersey while his friend was wearing caps jersey i saw to fat fucks in the stand
and orpig was at the game they showed him few times i wonder what happened after the game with stan and Brooksie
We had a beer, and he told me stories about how you can’t reach orgasm unless you’re in a dog collar. It was really awkward.
Wouldn’t you like to know.
I sure am, can’t let up on these f’ers. Good to see people actually still cheer for this team around here.
Sam – please explain again how bad “gayjoy” is playing.
He must be in daycare this morning or something. Too quiet…
James Neal who?
Hornqvists visor is sweeeet
Sam told you clowns that murray would be pulled with letang out and maf. would come in
Not to get all Santiago on everyone, but I couldn’t imagine a more depressing message board after a playoff win. Yeah, Sid is playing like Max Talbot, but we are getting goals from everywhere. I’m perfectly fine with him playing like garbage if we win the cup. Murray looks very solid and getting Daley for Scuds is just robbery. Not saying he’s Lidstrom, but I thought he stepped up in a big way. We are getting incredible production from guys no one was expecting to produce. I also think Malkin looks like maybe the best forward on the ice. If… Read more »
I remember Sam telling us all that the Pens should trade for Mike Weber at the trade deadline.
Sam. Tell us some more about how much you miss Despres.
I miss Despres. Zero’s boy Pouliot was a train wreck again.
You must not have watched that Anaheim series. Which surprised no one.
Simply Dusty- making another error in player analysis. Which surprises no one.
We need to revisit the Despres trade in great detail, starting with a game by game CF% comparison.
Ovechkin still better than Crosby in game 4.
Low bar.
So is anyone happy about the win or pissed about player x ?
League just gave Pouliot another minus.
That was probably Sam
Did they give Weber the assist on the game winner?
Pens gave all that momentum to the caps after winning game three. League needs fuck off check n make sure the pens actually won
I miss Neal
No need a dirty player and a dumb guy that takes stupid penalties in wrong time. Reason pens had also trouble in playoffs they had malkin, Neal and orpig taking penalties wrong times now eliminated 2 of those clowns and still have 1
Also main reason pens are successful in playoffs they finally have a 3rd and 4th since 09. Last few years you shut sid an geno and series was done. As I said in this series it will be the battle of 3r 4th lines because top lines will check each other out.
Everyone shuts sid down.
You’re an idiot.. I have been one of the most vocal supporters of Hornqvist on here lol
Time to put fleury back in net. Caps will never see it coming.
Great to see that malkin show up tonight. Thats car 09 series malkin
Simply dusty, why arnt you blowing ovechkin after this game?
He was still better than Crosby tonight.
Big deal he and his team are down 3-1.
You ride Murray until you’re eliminated, nothing against MAF.
Trotz praises Cullen and Malkins line. Anyone missing?
Hey zero, I told you the pens were going up 3-1. Jokes aside, we both love it! Team of destiny right now!
Credit where it’s due… You did, I had serious doubts.
Shocked they could overcome an early bad goal. Remember when that was like the worst thing ever because it was fleury and now it doesn’t matter? Ta daaaaaa!
Nope. Fleury would have cracked.
if st.blurry was in net the mike richards 2-1 would have sailed over his shoulder. st.blurry is 0-7 in OT’s since the cup.
So was sid. Until last night. Your boy sucks. I’ve seen Fleury show up in big games, yogurt. When’s the last time you’ve seen sid do so – seriously. 1-7 in OTs since the cup! Best in the world!
Huuuge win
https://media.giphy.com/media/xXvIkTu08XQLC/giphy.gif
All 3 Pens goals were between Holtby’s legs.
Nice article
Crosby was there to watch it, just like the rest of us.