Penguins/NHL
PITTSBURGH 4 – WASHINGTON 3
The Washington Capitals showed once again why something just isn’t right with this hockey club. In a very competitive game where the Capitals were impressive at times, Alexander Ovechkin (34) put the Capitals ahead 3-2 at 8:35 of the third period and in position to get a big “W”, but you just knew Washington would blow this game and as the Penguins do so well, they just kept coming at the Capitals.
Jussi Jokinen (13) tied the game at 3-3 with 8:25 left in the period, finishing a great feed from Brandon Sutter in front and Pittsburgh would soon take the lead for the first time in the game on an Olli Maatta slap shot from 45 ft out that beat Michal Neuvirth with 1:54 left in regulation to lift the Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Capitals on Wednesday night.
The win marked the Penguins 13th straight home victory, a new franchise record. Pittsburgh improved to 20-3 at home this season and moved 18 points ahead of the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.
Maatta’s fourth goal of the season was the difference and two key players on the goal were Evgeni Malkin who carried the puck through the zone before slipping it to Maatta at the point and Taylor Pyatt provided a great screen in front as Neuvirth had no vision to make a save on the shot.
Maatta finished the game with a goal, assist, and a plus-2 rating, earning the games No. 1 star.
Taylor Pyatt (1) and Kris Letang (9) also scored in the win and Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves to earn his NHL-leading 27th victory.
Pittsburgh outshot Washington 37-28.
