Penguins/NHL
Game 4 The Momentum Game
Does momentum from one game swing to another? When you have a case of a superior team up against an inferior team it often does in all sports.
Just look at the Penguins first round series with New York.
From Sidney Crosby’s game tying goal in Game 3 with 48 seconds left in the second period, it was a game changing and momentum tilting goal for the entire series. Pittsburgh went on to out-score New York 14-3 over the final 141 minutes of the series. The superior team gained momentum from one game and it never left their side.
You look at the NBA for example, the big one that stands out is the 2015 NBA finals. A beaten down Cleveland Cavaliers team won Game 3 behind LeBron James to take a 2-1 series lead but the Warriors in the loss found their swagger in the 4th quarter, dominated the rest of the series.
There’s proof in most sports that momentum from one game does swing to another but what about two evenly matched teams like we have in this series?
Despite a Game 3 loss to fall down 2-1, the mood in the Capitals room is that they have the momentum. From Alex Ovechkin, to the rest of the team, Washington believes their group has awaken and started to find their A-game.
They have some numbers to back it up their momentum narrative.
Over the last four periods of hockey, Washington has out-shot Pittsburgh 63-30, out-attempted the Penguins 114-52. including an 83-45 edge in 5 v 5 shot attempts. Washington with a 5 v 5 on-ice corsi percentage of 66.4%, Pittsburgh 35.2%.
Yet, it’s the Penguins who have outscored Washington 4-3 over the last four periods played.
All of the pressure is on Washington tonight to even up the series 2-2 and they have to take advantage of Pittsburgh having no Kris Letang, arguably the Penguins most important player. Pittsburgh has lost 9 of 11 games that Letang has missed this season.
“We’ll try to take advantage of them missing a terrific defenseman,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.
We’ll also find out if the Capitals truly have momentum in the series despite being down 2-1 and if their superior play in Game 3 can actually carry over into Game 4.
Don’t be surprised if this one comes down to which star takes over the game.
From Pittsburgh’s side of things, this is the type of game where you’re missing your No. 1 defenseman and the game will likely fall on the shoulders of the two star centers.
Unless Matt Murray has another sensational performance in him, if Crosby and Malkin play at the same level they did in Game 3, the series will in all likelihood be going back to Washington tied 2-2.
Latest Lineup Buzz
D Changes Again for Caps
— Washington will make another change on the backend with Mike Weber entering the lineup and Nate Schmidt to the press box. Despite Schmidt’s struggles, on the ice for 4 goals against in series, and a brutal turnover on the Hagelin goal, Mike Weber being able to handle the Penguins speed is quite the risk to take for the Capitals.
If you’re Mike Sullivan, you have to be licking your chops to get the Bonino line with Hagelin and Kessel’s speed on the wings out against Weber at nearly every opportunity.
Expect heavy minutes from Alzner, Niskanen and Carlson.
— Marcus Johansson will play, Caps coach Barry Trotz confirmed.
Sullivan on Goaltending Situation
Matt Murray will, as expected, get the start in Game 4. Just like he handled the Tomas Vokoun situation well, Marc Andre Fleury is handling this situation extremely well. He knows there’s no reason to make a change.
Here was Mike Sullivan’s take this morning:
“With as well as Matt has been playing, common sense would suggest that we should probably stay with him, but having said that [hide], we think we have two really good goaltenders who we can rely on to win.”
Who’s In for Penguins?
Mike Sullivan officially listed Olli Maatta, Bryan Rust and Eric Fehr as game-time decisions.
Fehr is regarded as having the best chance to play but is said to be dealing with a shoulder. Rust will be a big shock if he plays. He has the type of injury that normally would sideline him for close to 7-10 days I’m told if this was the regular season. It’s not the regular season but with how awkward he looks walking around best bet seems to be to take the extra days off after Game 4 and see if he can be ready for Saturday. We’ll see.
Olli Maatta is a bit of a mystery right now. Some talk around the arena this morning he has a chance to get cleared this afternoon which would prompt the Penguins to dress 11 forwards, 7 D.
— Tom Sestito has been told be ready to play. He’s the most likely option to play if the Penguins dress 12 forwards.
Player to Watch
Derrick Pouliot – Was paired with Trevor Daley in the morning skate and could play the biggest role in his career as a Penguin tonight. It’s an intriguing pair from the offensive end but defensively there would be some concerns if the Capitals win the possession game like Game 3.
D-Pairs in Morning Skate
Derrick Pouliot – Trevor Daley
Brian Dumoulin – Ben Lovejoy
Ian Cole – Justin Schultz
*Olli Maatta did not skate*
[/hide]
NHL called, Pens have to forfeit win because Pouliot sucks.
All 3 goals between Holtby’s legs.
No instant buzz yet?
Holtby, another Canadian goalie who crumbles under pressure
Is there still time for someone to blow by Pouliot and tie the game?
Fleury would have lost that game.
Agreed, that first horrible goal would have counted for two
Nice work by sid in front of the net
Murray 6 wins in a row at home and happens to be in overtime now Yoda will be here about this overtime win under Murray vs Fleury overtimes
https://media.giphy.com/media/mmYy42RNrgA0w/giphy.gif
Series over
Pens and rest of bandwagon fans once tough. Tough series was over few years ago when they were 3-1 vs rags and Tampax.
What?
He said Americans are tough.
Dude how is it possible to use the same word consectutively and get it right only once?
Except now they are mostly healthy and well coached. It’s not n the bag but it’s highly unlikely they cough it up
Nope, one more to go. The hardest game to win.
Pens survived Pouliot.
Dude, seriously.
Epic
Holtby lol
My lucky bounce!!!!!!
Great call
Trade letang Stan pens don’t need him lol
Gayjoy for pens and Justin Williams for caps
Today 16 year anniversary of flyers vs pens when they played 5 overtime periods
What do the players eat inbetween periods?
They don’t eat just drink boiled hot dog water
I got Tommy Kuhnhackl for the win!
Sid needs to redeem himself and score in this OT.
Stan must be happy with Crosby getting injured
He duckin sucks. Complete ghost tonight.
You guys don’t watch the game in details all series sid taking slashes and dirty hits
Sid taking a hot dog up the ass maybe. The “best player in the world” needs to be able to overcome that every now and then.
Speaking of hot dogs is Kessel even in the line up?
Ya he’s the only one taking the dirty plays…. I mean he’s literally the only play taking the shots.
Just rewatched the 3rd period in details. Sid was worse than I thought.
They’ve performed better than I thought tonight. 1 more lucky bounce please.
Regardless of how this season ends this is Malkin’s last year in Pitt. Mark it down.
Should I go to bed knowing their 0 for 8 in their last OT games?
Our two-headed super stars will pull it out
You forgot to mention hot dog boy in that list. Is he even playing tonight Mr. Kessel ?
NPL doesn’t play for the Pens.
Npl plays with himself for the pens
No MAF, that has to end sooner than later right?
Murray got a L in game 1. He’s part of it.
If Sullivan can limit Sid’s and Geno’s ice time pens might pull this out.
What is stupid time out
PP looks so much better with Letang out. #maloniknew
Who could have ever imagined it getting worse.
Why the fuck aren’t Bonino and Cullen in Pp
Why time out when pens have a power play . That time out couldve been used later on or if there is bad goal to review good job sully
Im going to guess that he wanted to score instead of banking on the off chance that a contested goal was scored by the Caps with under 4 minutes to go. Watch the game in details chub.
Ugh
Good job makin. Icing on power play
Makin stinks
This PP is a fucking joke
Glad Leatng isn’t here to ruin it hey Maloni
No need Malkin is ruining it. Low percentage passes.
Lol, so it’s not Letangs fault? It’s the guy who has been the true QB if this PP since Gonchar left?
Based on your Pouliot argument tonight’s game is indicative of Malkins career so… The PP has always failed because of Genos low % passing… Sam was right
Time for the big boys to earn their paycheck.
Just thinking the same thing. Here we go. This is when we need it. Let’s go boys.
Stan must be the happiest cockk sucker tonight no letang sid finally injured after taking so many slashes all series long
How about our 3rd line center leading all forwards in ice time tonight.
Rare occasion must be the fact sid was out for a while that’s why
Now that the Russian playing more minutes he Is due to take a dumb penalty
Sid being lazy caused that offside. Your leader Sam.
Does anyone else remember when 90% of the Pens fans bitched non stop about signing Cullen?
No
Does anyone else remember when same wanted Cullen and some said here he is too old we had enough old players once again another one in the million Sam say stick to the wall Jay
Yea, John Cullen lol
Actually no… I literally don’t recall anyone saying anything about him until he signed. Fuckyou sam lol
Not really… I liked it… Did that really happen?… Nvm.. It was an old player thing
Pens would be in a more comfortable position to start the 3rd if Saint Blurray didnt let in that soft goal.
Havent noticed Sestito. Is he playing or is he in the owners box with Sid?
No he is with bennett and making sure he doesn’t get injured while they watch the pens on TV
I’m sure Sid shows up for the third guys. He’s a warrior. This and that. What a leader.
Sid can’t beat Taylor Chorney 1on1?
Even when he’s injured and playing, you see once or twice a game Sid gives you that burst. He hasn’t done jack shit and is showing no effort. He looks like Sid under the MJ era. Is it possible he is throwing the game to get Fleury back in net? Same way he threw games for 3 months to get MJ fired?
They are dead on about Murray up high!!
Fucking Pouliot. Tell us again how good Pouliot looks Zero.
Who said I thought he wAs awesome you fucken dweeb… I thought it was comical you called him out after a decent game. So fucken thick
You’re yoda like in your ability to discuss what’s going on out there lol
You have no idea what you’re watching do you.
Coming from you that’s rich
Sorry, coming from the guy that thought splitting up our top line was a good idea… That’s rich
How’s that top line doing tonight?
Lol, yes it was the fAct that we didn’t add Kessel, who was being run outta town while playing with Malkin, too genos line that is the reason for the close game. We can ignore the body of work since the beginning of March cuz of this game. Makes sense why only yoda and Sam top your utter stupidity out here. Your a tad more coheran thug ultimately you’re watching theoretical physics where most see hockey.
“Your a tad more coheran thug ultimately” reads a tad more coherent but ultimately 😉
No really you don’t. That’s why you’re so angry. Do you think Pouliot is playing well again today.
Clearly he isn’t playing the same game he did after the slow start last game…. That’s how this works dipshit. Night to night and overall trends… Write that down! Hot goalie lol
Great defense Sid.
Glad sid is on our team… Game wouldn’t be as exciting had he not given that puck away
You mean Pouliot. Watch closer
No, he means Crosby. Watch 3 seconds before that.
It’s actually kind of amazing that 90% of Washington’s shots have generated a great rebound opportunity and I honestly don’t think they’very had a decent 2nd chance opportunity. The D minus Letang/Maata has been absolutely amazing in front of Murray.
Of course just seconds after I complement the D on how well they’ve played, Pouliot coughs up the puck and they completely blow a coverage to allow a goal.
Good one Jay with the jinx
That’s one Maloni
Does Sid even have a fucking shot yet?
He didn’t in the first.
Man is it nice to see bounces (puck luck) finally going the Pens way, seems like it’s been years since they’very come out on the positive side of the bounces.
This is awesome
Did Daley just drop the “big two points line”? Lmmfao
Murray better be offering reach arounds to all the defenseman during the intermission for the job they done in front of him so far this period.
In fairness he’s getting the job done but ya, it’s a dangerous game he’s playing.
Cherry thinks OV is Canadian lol.
Agreed and that’s all that really matters. It’s not like it’s the 1st time this series he has managed to keep the puck out of the net despite poor rebound control anyway.
The defensive coverage in front of the net seems okay so far… Murray has kicked out a couple big rebounds. As long as the boys can get to them Murray seems good for the first save but it’s still a little unnerving.
Schultz looks lost so far
Probably looking for your brown eye.
Nice breakout by Pouliot
Daley!!!!
Malkin looks fired up
Sid looks disinterested. Like two years ago in the playoffs disinterested.
Murray is ready.
Should’ve went with Zatkoff.
Something special?
Great play by Fleury to give up the deflating stinker to a no body
2 goals in this series as soon as Crosby hit the ice they score now according to Stan and Mr stats gaydogg sid suckss
What the fuck are you talking about?
¿Que?
Trust me, those 2 goals have absolutely nothing to do with why he’s suckling in this series.
I’m impressed you can translate that.
The best part about this post is that Sid wasn’t given a – on the goal against.
Yuck!
Put kessel on Malkin’s wing tonight = watch Geno win game
lol D reports Rust has a 7-10 day injury……Rust back after 1 day. Scoop!!!!
In all fairness he did say that if it were the regular season it would be a 7-10 day type injury.
Cutch is awesome, but he really should have taken the high road instead of worrying about an error/hit.
Also, worry about your .220 batting average instead.
Yeah some of his personality traits make him tough to like at times.
Glad the Cubs series is over. I haven’t seen a bigger, more embarrassing beat down since Sam took on the English language.
I don’t know, I think his attempt at understanding the game of hockey may be more embarrassing than his assault on the English language.
You have to play with him on NHL (PS4) to get the real samwise experience.
Whats his ID?
Having no idea what Olesky does on D, I say dress 7 dmen no matter what to spread the minutes. Not to mention, again having no idea what Olesky brings, he has to be less of a liability than Sestito…. assuming maata is 100% out
Yoda where are you? I’d really love answer to my question.
I laugh at the people who criticize Dejans articles. Only because, you have to pay to read 80% of it lol. Surely you cant be paying for that comment section too! Lol
Why can’t we have a Santiago moment for the rest of the playoffs then go back to bitching?
I love you
Just had to carry this over from the last post, can Yoda please show me the post where I said Sullivan should be fired for not starting Fleury, hell I’ll make it even easier for you, please show me a post where I said Fleury should start over Murray. My prediction is that in typical Yoda fashion he’ll quickly change the subject after once again being call out for posting something that is 100% incorrect and looking like a fool doing so.
I think yoda is confused…for some reason he thinks the entire fanbase is calling for fleury…I am assuming his only logic behind that is because everyone int he fan base doesnt agree with him on his evaluation of fleury…..What he cannot understand is you can be perfectly happy with a backup goalie playing lights out and taking the spotlight…but until you bash fleury and say he sucks (which he absolutely does not) you will be told your saying/doing things that you are not simply so the green loser can push his awful agenda
Fleury sucks
Jay, I noticed on Dejan’s site you posted a missive and immediately responded to your own post with a longer missive. Good stuff. I’m glad you carry the same fictitious identity to different sites.
I really believe you may be struggling from the same warped perception aliment Yoda suffers from, the second post or response as you call it was a continuation of the original thought and was only 2-3 lines longer(less than half the size of the original post) so I’m not sure how your warped mind perceived it as longer than the original post. I know you struggle comprehending things that are more than a few words long but come on man, you’re better than that.
So I had to go back and check to satisfy my compulsive nature and the original post is 181 words, the response post is 53 words. Maloni thinking 53 is more than 181 should tell you all you need to know about his credibility.
That is awesome you went back and Checked and then followed up with a double post. I fell asleep reading.
The Pens still need supplemental scoring for their 3rd and 4th lines, but Crosby and Malkin need to lead the way with a big impact on the scoreboard.
And Phil. Like to see him bury one tonight.
Its nice to see him assist but you’re right he needs to bury them as well. Hopefully we can have a Halak series with Murray.
NO benett ? Stan must be Sad
This type of post is what make me sad
the pens powerplay has been garbage. sid needs to step it up big time. murray is going to have to have the game of his life again too.
http://i.giphy.com/yHneCn5IhRvVe.gif
The PP is immediately improved without Letang.
Pouliot should sit and Olesky should play; DP can’t play Defense.
Sestito should just concentrate on punching out Tom Wilson, Oshie or Ovie, nuf said.
How is his mobility in comparison… Maatta can play D but he was being victimized due to his lack of speed. Pouliot was not bad at all last game, I don’t think I would make that move.
“Not bad at all”. Clueless advanced analytics clown
lol Olesky get a clue.
Get it Derrick!!!! Tonight’s your time to shine.
What about Sundqvist?
Man, that D scares me.
That’s what she said 😉
That sir, is a thumbs up.
I looked at it and said the same thing!!! ouch! How much would you give for Niskanen in a Pens jersey right now????
$6 m per year