Penguins/NHL
PENGUINS – CAPITALS X’ & O’S
The Washington Capitals opened the game buzzing, owning the territorial edge and giving the Penguins fits on the forecheck with hard dump-ins that Marc Andre Fleury struggled to control. It looked like a re-run of the second and third periods of the previous matchup between the two clubs.
Pittsburgh didn’t record their first shot until 6:41 into the game but again the Penguins came out of a poor start with the game 0-0.
Where this game quickly turned for Pittsburgh was in a similar manner the Penguins have been able to exploit the Capitals in the previous two meetings. When the Capitals get out of their structure, Pittsburgh can make Washington pay in a way some teams can’t and Sunday night was no different.
On Bryan Rust’s opening goal of the game, Washington gets three skaters caught deep in the offensive zone and Pittsburgh is off with a 4-on-3 rush that has Ian Cole making a great play at the blueline with Mike Weber stepping up and an even better individual play from Tom Kuhnhackl who shields his body, turns and sets up a streaking Bryan Rust who finishes the play off.
The Penguins were often so good under Dan Bylsma in their ability to not just score a momentum changing goal but to get another one quickly. This team has that important trait about them again.
A 1:59 later, Trevor Daley gives the Penguins a 2-0 lead just 9:59 into the first period. Just like that Pittsburgh took complete control of the game.
Sidney Crosby’s dominance on the forecheck led to the Daley goal.
Crosby takes an excellent angle in forcing the lefty Dmitry Orlov to his backhand [hide], leading to a turnover and the Capitals got caught this time with four players high, one forward out of the zone, three above the circles with Brooks Orpik the lone defender in proper position but Orpik over-pursues to Crosby’s side who finds a streaking Daley who gets behind the Capitals for the goal.
THE PENGUINS SUPERIOR RESPONSE TO THE CAPITALS RESPONSE
The Capitals, as expected, had a response in the second period.
Jason Chimera got the Capitals within one goal just minutes into the second period with a soccer like goal.
Andre Burakovsky then tied the game at 2-2 with 4:48 left in the second as the Penguins had a blown coverage in not accounting for Burakovsky coming out of the box.
The Capitals during the period also ratcheted up the physicality and after the whistle stuff.
Suddenly this one had the feel of the game potentially swaying to the Capitals especially when you account the Penguins were playing in a back-to-back situation.
Yet, most importantly the Penguins were still dictating the style and pace of the game and were continuing to give the Capitals fits with their pressure on the forecheck.
42 seconds after the Burakovsky goal, Tom Kuhnhackl regained the lead for the Penguins with his third of the season at 15:54 of the period, finishing a beautiful feed from Matt Cullen. Again Pittsburgh created an offensive turnover with Kuhnhackl providing excellent back pressure on Nate Schimdt, leading to the goal.
The Capitals were sloppy all game with their defensive zone structure but some had to do with the Penguins attacking style. The pressure and angles the Penguins take is a product of not just being the faster team but a well coached team.
Pittsburgh got behind the Capitals all game with Matt Cullen’s breakaway goal 3:46 into the third period being the dagger in putting the Penguins up 4-2.
A 6-2 win for the Penguins where they dictated the style of game, neutralized the Capitals stars, got dominant games from role players Tom Kuhnhackl, Matt Cullen and Bryan Rust, while improving to 33-0 when leading after the second period. This performance better start getting the attention of others in the East.[/hide]
When same, yogurt and maloni are on the board at the same time, it turns into a preschool.
When NPL ,TBJ and Stan are on the board at the same time ,it turns into a Circus or a Gay Festival at times
Burrnnn
You really need to stop, you’re just not good at this. Stick to things more your speed like counting to 10 or saying your ABCs.
one other subject that needs to be talked about is the caps beat crosby’s a$$ yesterday. how about oshie punching sid while he was lying on the ice. don’t give me you beat them on the scoreboard crap. the pens are a bunch of chicks for not beating oshie’s a$$ after that attack on crosby. over a 7 game series, sid will be rendered useless just like he was in the ranger series from taking 15 crosschecks to the back of the neck from staal. they need to insert sestito into the lineup. the pens finally listened to me by… Read more »
Weren’t you just crying about how nobody was going after Crosby? And the fact that you think Sestito belongs on the ice is laughable. So does that mean they are in the playoffs now?
#FarnhamSestitoConnSmythe
More excuse making for Crosby. He wasn’t effective because he got crosschecked. You’re a shill for your boy. As per usual.
I thought we were the ones on the Penguins payroll?
That’s a great call.
Yup, Sestito would have stopped Oshie from doing that from the bench.
Interesting that you leave out that Crosby threw the 1st punch and swung at Oshie several times while the ref was holding Oshie which is what prompted Oshie to continue hitting Crosby after he went down. Doesn’t justify what Oshie did but interesting that you completely ignore Crosby’s role in the altercation and only focus on “oh my God someone touched poor Sidney”. The joke that is your understanding of the game never gets old.
Bro, do you get a small check from the pens to post sid propaganda? Hahaha
If the NHL employed fluffers, Sestito would be getting a regular shift doing that.
ORRPIGGGG
Your lover.
Fleury mis-playing dump ins. What? Blasphemy.
There we go champ – stick to what you know. Let’s do away with all of this Dumoulin talk. You’re out of your element, Donny.
It made a huge difference in yeasterdays game.
Blasphey to say that about a saint!
They making the playoffs this week yogurt? And maybe with Pitt losing, your financial status will get a boost.
I don’t even look at the posts anymore… its been months… and when I do… Sam is still an idiot!!
Yeah I don’t really bother anymore either ever since he the site layout got updated.
Got to love that Daley goal last night .and got to love that scuderi trade with Daley. Unload more Americans this summer and team will be even better next year. Bennett,bonino, Cole and chubby are all must go. Throw in the Russian too in that mix and team will be even more better
Considering the best team in hockey has multiple Russians on the team, that doesn’t make much sense. Please reconcile.
Don’t everyone lament the loss of Craig Adams all at once.