Pens/Caps Fallout

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a much needed win with Sunday’s 4-3 shootout victory. The team got some puck luck with Iyla Samsonov handing them a goal, an Alex Ovechkin blast late in the third period hitting post to post.

Nonetheless, the Penguins battled really well and got contributions throughout the lineup. Marcus Pettersson had a fantastic game at both ends of the ice, one of the best players on the ice, Evan Rodrigues scored 20 seconds in and the Crosby line as a whole was Pittsburgh’s best line on the night. Then you had the Penguins getting a goal from Colton Sceviour, despite the 4th line being pretty much unplayable and seeing just three minutes of ice time.

There’s also the decision to start Casey DeSmith who looks so beatable at times, but did his job for the second game in a row, and shined in the shootout in turning aside all four Capital shooters.

— Big picture the Capitals are just a superior team. There’s such a good mix upfront of finishers combined with size/physically, while not a great skating team, there’s still enough speed throughout the lineup to matchup with anybody. They can just overwhelm teams below the dots when they’re wired in. On defense, that contract to Justin Schultz wasn’t something, but like the forward group, there’s just a good mix of puck movers, size and physicality. Zdeno Chara can still play. Goaltending, though, is the biggest thing that can set this Capitals team back.

MORE BUZZ & LATEST RUMBLINGS

— Mike Matheson is out “longer term”, according to the Penguins, with initial diagnosis being a To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

— Months later, talk among executives is the Penguins sold low on Patric Hornqvist this past off-season. The trade market for Hornqvist was surprisingly 4-5 teams deep at the time Pittsburgh decided to move forward with the Panthers deal. Multiple NHL sources say Pittsburgh had opportunities brewing where at least one intriguing futures offer was on the table where Pittsburgh could have unloaded almost all To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! one team involved in talks was flabbergasted by the direction PTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!Columbus To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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