Penguin Mistakes Allow Caps to get 1-0 lead

I hate to pin the loss on one or two players making one or two bad plays, but………….. the Penguins were dominating every aspect of the game until Gonchar flipped an easy clearing pass from just inside his own blueline over the glass.  There was nobody on him, no real pressure or need to make a hasty play, but he did.  This was a real momentum changing point of the game.  Follow that up with Matt Cooke taking a bad retaliatory penalty and now the Pens are in a 5 on 3 short handed situation.  The caps scored with the two-man advantage and the momentum had turned completely around.

Photos for the Penguins – Washington series are provided to PenguinPoop by: www.offwingphoto.com

As I said, I don’t like to pin it on one or two guys because there were other  factors.  An incredible save  by Simeon Varlamov on  Crosby, a bonehead play by  Orpik / Fedodenko confusing  assignments and  many  decisions by Penguin  players  not to shoot all added  to the  disappointing loss.    Let’s  keep in mind that the  Penguins powerplay is non- existent.  What happen to the  PP?  They need to do  something to mix it up.  

I thought overall that the Pens played a better game with the exception of about a half of a period or so after the 5 on 3.  The Pens outshot the Caps 36-26 and should have had many more.  I think Kunitz alone passed up three or four great shooting opportunities by himself.  Based on this game, I have confidence the Pens can come back strong and take one in D.C.

Notes:

• Fedotenko and Sykora have got to show up.  We need these guys to start making some things happen.  I have to say, I thought Sykora did play with a bit more energy, but he needs to get on the scoresheet.
• As much as it pains me to say this……..Gonchar is not playing well.
• How about Coffey… I mean Eaton scoring again.  That goal proved that the Pens need to get the puck on the net whenever possible.

Here’s to bringing the series back to the “Burgh” tied 1-1.