Wow, what can you say? Another fantastic game. So far, this series has exceeded all of the expectations. The league has to be incredibly satisfied with match up. The Pittsburgh Penguins win a great one, 3-2 in overtime.
It took and extra period to settle this one, but our Pittsburgh Penguins came out victorious. This, much like the others, had the Pens dominating the game most of the time. The Pens had 42 shots on goal to Washington’s 23. There were many, many good scoring opportunities. Varlamov was again awesome. This kid really is amazing. If it were not for him, the series would be drastically different.
The game started on an ominous note with Fleury misplaying a puck behind the net that bounced back in front and right to…..who else……Alexander Ovechkin. He, of course, did not miss the open net. The Caps were up 1-0 in a hurry. It seemed to take the Pens half of the period to get out of shock. Once they got going, it was something to see. The Pens were putting pressure on almost non-stop. They were physical and very determined on the forecheck.
I don’t know how much the line changes affected everything, but something inspired the team tonight. If they had finished some of the fantastic opportunities they did have, the score would have been lopsided.
People, was everyone happy with Malkin’s performance tonight? That was as amazing and individual performance as I have seen in a long time. I hope that shuts all the “where’s Malkin” people.
It was great to see some other guys on the scoresheet. Malkin had one, Fedotenko had one and Letang got on the board. It was nice to see some other guys finally chipping in. Although Letang had a goal and an assist, I was disappointed at his passing up numerous chances to one-time some shots. I think this kid has unlimited potential. He just needs to develop the confidence to unleash his talents.
Before the game, Savran on Sportsbeat did a story about Crosby working on his faceoffs. Kind of funny that is was a clean win on a faceoff that led to Letang’s goal in overtime. Overall, Crosby was not very good on the draws today, but when it counted, he got it done.
Notes:
- How about Ovechkin trying to hit Orpik with about ten strides behind him. After flipping through the air and landing on his neck, it seemed maybe that AO got the worst of it.
- Other than the mistake at the beginning of the game, Fleury was solid. He did not need to be spectacular tonight. The two goals were sort of fluky. The second goal was a shot from no angle that Backstrom banked off of Fleury. It was a nice play by Backstrom but still a fluke.
- I thought everyone played with a ton of energy. I hope they can come out Friday with that same intensity.
- Ovechkin seemed to be far less of a factor than the previous games. Good work by the defense. I would still like to see the defense challenge guys more aggressively as they enter the Pens zone.
This was an awesome game. It was as exciting as anyone could want. Here is to a great series and to Pens taking care of business at home.
@ Dunlap
What more can you say . . . unles you are Keith Jones!
Keith Jones, who never needed a jock strap, and spent most of his time with the WASH CAPS catching whip-ass from the Penguins thinks these things:
(1) The Penguins got the bounces! LOL. They Penguins not only controlled most of yesterday’s game but also most of the other two. he should get a shot counter.
(2) Fedorov got a “vicious” butt end of the stick from Hal Gill. There was nothing “vicious” about it at all.
This is all once a Capital always a Capital mentality. Also, if someone got Ovechnik to pee in a cup he could be suspended. Think Doc Ellis no-hitter.
If you got Mark Madden’s page on the X, you can watch the Orpik / Ovechkin collision.http://www.1059thex.com/pages/supergenius.html
Or just look it up on YouTube.
I missed the Orpik/Ovechkin hit, I saw Ovechkin land on his head. Did Ovechkin take a run at him? What happened? I need to find a video of that – heck I might have to re-watch that whole game. Great overall play by the Pens – The Igloo will be rockin’ on Friday that’s for sure.
Had to watch this one on VS. If you want to know where Malkin gets his energy all you had to see was MAMA MALKIN jumping out of her seat when after the whistle Ovechkin (who looked a tad miffed) fired that puck the length of the ice at the empty net.
Happy MAMA’s Day—- MAMA Malkin!
Boudreau talked about the penalties but in my opinion (he screwed-up) unless Fedorov was THAT HURT he should have been centering Ovechkin and Semin… just like he did in the World’s. Those three were dominate. Watching Fedorov centering Fleischmann and Kozlov??? That FFK line is pretty much FFK. I’ll bet he makes the move by Friday. Looking at the post game interviews the Capitals are talking (penalties) but also lucky bounces like Ovechkin’s goal wasn’t a lucky bounce! On to GAME 4. Just keep playing aggressively. The Capitals are having trouble getting the pucks out of their own zone especially with forwards cheating up ice not coming back to help… not mentioning any by name but one of them had a much less curved stick last night! The difference between Crosby and Malkin vs Ovechkin and Semin is that they really do play both end of the ice and seldom are they so far removed from the play.
SWEET! I love overtime!
Okay, I really hate it unless we win.
Great to see the crowd behind Malkin. He played awesome!
GO PENZ!
@ Foreczech (yesterday)
[All the Pens need to do is keep the pressure on and they have done that. Just play north south use their speed and the Capitals will take the penalties. That is the Capitals biggest weakness and it has been that way last year – this year and so far through the playoffs. It’s not going to change. Just keep the pressure on and Malkin and the PP will come through. At the same time it keeps their key players off the ice.]
This lady has her crystal ball working. On the post game carried by the NHL Network Bruce Boudreau was whining about the same thing. The number of penalties. They do spread those penalties around and if you have to describe the game the Penguins have applied ‘almost’ continual pressure for three games – the Capitals are taking way too many penalties – and the rookie goaltender is playing out of his gourd.
[ When the biggest story (concerning play) is about the 21 year old goalie (what’s his name’s) magnificent saves the only thing that makes them magnificent is that the Penguins are applying the pressure or he’s getting back after being out of position. Just keep the pressure on and if their goalie continue to make the saves they deserve to win. I’m guessing the Pen’s pressure their penalty taking weak defense and we take games 3 & 4.]
Well, Game 3 is in the bag and the Capitals, seriously, are showing signs of wearing down a bit. Talbot’s move to Malkin’s line and “the dark horse” on that line, Fedotenko, is just what the doctor ordered. This guy was money in the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup run and with players on that team like Lecavlier, St-Louis, and Richards it was Fedotenko who led them in goals scored plus GWG’s.
What a series – Go Pens! Why are we waiting until Friday!
The whole Malkin thing has been blown out of proportion. Before tonights game he had 4 points in the last 3 games and had an assist in each game and they are saying he dissapeared? He was on a 3 game scoring streak.
I would agree… Another awesome game to enjoy… As I expected, the Pens took their game to another level… Unfortunately, the CAPS took a step backwards in their energy and their hustle, and were outplayed for most of the game… Still, with Varlamov pulling off miracle saves, the CAPS were still in it to win it, getting their opportunities in the overtime… The game winner was an unbelievably lucky deflection off of the defensemen, but sometimes the lucky bounces work against you, and sometimes they work for you… Tonight it worked for the Pens… I tip my hat to them for a job well done… I didn’t expect the CAPS to be able to raise their game to the Pens level because they’re just not as good, but I didn’t expect the step backwards either… That was disappointing… Hopefully, they can put forth a better effort on Friday, and not have the ice so tilted down in their end… The two studs of this game were Malkin and Varlamov…