Penguins Cap-Sized

The trend, unfortunately, continues. Once again our Penguins fell prey to a key Metropolitan Division rival. A larger, more physical one to boot.

The Pens certainly had their moments during last night’s disappointing 3-2 loss to Washington at the Verizon Center. They were the quicker, more vibrant team to open the game. When Patric Hornqvist beat Braden Holtby to make it 2-0 early in the second period, it looked like they just might topple the NHL’s best.

Then the Caps flexed their considerable muscle. With four hits apiece, bruiser Tom Wilson and “the Great Eight,” Alex Ovechkin, led the charge. Slowly but surely, the hosts began to grind us down with a hammer-and-tongs approach. You could sense the black and gold start to wilt.

True, our boys were playing the second of back-to-back contests, while the Capitals were comparatively fresh. But Washington’s heavy game clearly took a toll. While the Pens sagged, the Caps piled up a lopsided 27-17 edge in shots on goal over the final 40 minutes.

The Capitals continued their assault in the third period. Ovechkin drilled Pens defenseman Olli Maatta into the sideboards. Dmitri Orlov blasted Bryan Rust—arguably our most effective player—with a bristling shoulder check at center ice.

Moments later they had the lead, too, thanks to a power-play goal by former Pen Matt Niskanen.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The Penguins aren’t timid. They battle and scrap and compete. Even in the face of a physical onslaught like the one dished out by the Caps, who enjoyed a 32-19 advantage in hits.

Still, I’m weary of watching opposing thugs like Wilson take potshots at Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Kris Letang without a hint of retaliation or push back. It’s especially galling to watch bully-boy Ovechkin goad countryman Malkin at every turn, secure in the knowledge he won’t need to drop the mitts.

Personally, I’d love to see someone wipe the gap-toothed smirk from Ovi’s puss.

Alas, in his quest to remake the Pens in Carolina’s image, GM Jim Rutherford overlooked the need for some bigger, tougher players. Ones to provide backbone and protection for the stars.

The road ahead won’t get any easier. Not with the Rangers rolling into town Thursday night. And 15 games remaining against our Metro Division rivals.

Some muscle would’ve helped.