To borrow from the theme song to the old tearjerker “Love Story,” where do I begin?
I have so many impressions of the Penguins’ stunning 6-2 conquest of Washington at the Verizon Center last night…not all of them good.
Guess I’ll start at the beginning. How we survived another hellish first period, when the Capitals piled up an astounding 35 shot attempts to our eight, I’ll never know. On second thought, maybe I do.
Can you say Marc-Andre Fleury?
Once again, “Flower” was magnificent, stopping 16 first-period shots to keep our guys in the game almost single-handed. All I can say is, thank goodness Jim Rutherford didn’t move No. 29 at the trade deadline. I shudder to think where we’d be without him.
I know it isn’t the Penguins’ way, and never will be as long as JR’s in charge. But I wish we had somebody to discourage foes from taking liberties and cheap shots.
It was difficult to watch former Pen Matt Niskanen, hardly the toughest guy in the league, repeatedly apply his stick to various and sundry parts of Sidney Crosby’s anatomy. Although Ian Cole displayed some pushback for the locals, crushing churlish Tom Wilson with a huge hit early in the second period, it wasn’t enough to dissuade the Caps from running around.
A bully in the truest sense, Wilson scraped himself off the ice and did his usual worst, laying out Pens winger Tom Kuhnhackl midway through the third period in brutal fashion.
Maybe next game we can put assistant coach Rick Tocchet in a uniform and sneak him onto the ice for a few shifts. Even at age 53, I’d bet Tocchet—a ferocious fighter in his day—could whip Wilson with one fist tied behind his back.
Obviously, I digress.
Back to the game.
If ever a team looked like it’d rather be golfing, it was our Penguins. Even after “team dad” Matt Cullen exploited Kevin Shattenkirk and beat Braden Holtby through the wickets for a momentum swaying shorthanded goal 1:15 into the second period, we flattened out like the proverbial stack of pancakes. Especially after veteran Ron Hainsey brain-cramped only moments later, leaving the slot in front of Fleury completely unguarded.
The blueliner’s inexplicable gaffe afforded Niskanen squatters rights and a veritable zip code of space to work with. Only a miracle in the form of a Frankie Pietrangelo save would’ve prevented the erstwhile Pen from knotting the score at 1-1.
Heck, at one point, Phil Kessel scooped up the puck high in the Pens’ zone, ready to lead a breakout. Then he turned back, lost the puck and triggered yet another prolonged offensive surge by the Caps.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan implored his bedraggled troops for a better effort. Then he gave Crosby a tap on the left shoulder as if to say lead the way.
Taking Sully’s admonishment to heart, our captain gathered in a short pass from Jake Guentzel with seven minutes to play in the second period and wheeled around a stationary Alex Ovechkin, who for all the world resembled a tourist observing the cherry blossoms that adorn our nation’s capital each spring.
Drawing the rapt attention of both Caps defensemen, Sid slid the puck to Kessel cruising through the right faceoff circle. Holtby moved aggressively to cut down the angle. Drifting on one leg in that inimitable style of his, No. 81 sized up his target, found the tiniest of openings and ripped the puck over the netminder’s left shoulder.
While “Phil the Thrill” and his mates erupted in an emotional celebration, the Caps visibly sagged. Scanning their bench, you could almost read the discouragement in their eyes. Here we go again.
And so it was. Tapping our remarkable reserve of resilience, the never-say-die Pens proceeded to shake down “Ovy” and the Caps, stealing their lunch money (Game 2) and their girl (home ice) in one fell swoop.
After the sharpshooting Guentzel picked Holtby clean for a third Penguins goal—the first of two on the evening for the red-hot rookie—Caps coach Barry Trotz turned in true desperation to Philipp Grubauer to begin the third period. The backup goalie fared only slightly worse than Holtby, leaking two goals on nine shots.
Like Captain Jack Sparrow hurtling down from the yardarm in “Pirates of the Caribbean” to eviscerate an unsuspecting foe, our Penguins had their way.
Who’da thunk it after watching that first period?
Certainly not I.
Puckpourri
For the second game in a row, Washington dominated in shot attempts (88-45). The Caps also held a wide edge in shots on goal (36-24), hits (37-19) and faceoffs, winning 55 percent of the draws.
Kessel and Guentzel each tallied two goals and an assist. While the latter notched his playoff-leading sixth and seventh goals, the former snapped off four shots on goal and earned top-star honors. Fleury, who made 34 saves, was voted the game’s second star.
Crosby, Cullen and Evgeni Malkin collected two points apiece. “Geno” holds a two-point edge in the postseason scoring race over Crosby and Kessel (13-11). Guentzel ranks fourth with 10 points.
Carl Hagelin returned to the lineup last night, replacing Scott Wilson. He registered two shots on goal, a hit and a takeaway in 11:36 of action. Conor Sheary played a shade under nine minutes, the lightest workload among black-and-gold skaters except for Patric Hornqvist.
Hornqvist left the game late in the first period after blocking a shot with his left leg. Kuhnhackl (arm) and Hainsey (head) departed after stopping shots late in the third period. No word as of yet on their status.
Hey Guys and Gals
I know Rick is writing something very insightful as always and I should wait a few hours for it… But I can not. I am so mad,upset,( excuse my French…pissed off at Ovi and the league), I just want to punch the monitor in front of me.
Yes we loss the game. Does not bother me. Yes Matty N. checks Sid.That does not bother me really. Could have gone better yes, but that is hockey.
What is making my blood boil is the 30 times I have seen this Ovi incident on 4 different TV channels, in every possible angle, and watch it closely…..
( It was like Phil said about OVi shooting the puck at Ron Hansey’s head in the previous game.You have to watch it carefully.)
Back to last night…..
Forget about Matty ‘s hit , watch what happens as Sid is going down in to Ovi. Ovi quickly looks around to see where the Refs are, and then ” cross checks Sid in the head”…..A little 10’ inch shot as hard as he can !!!
Doug McLean of Sports net said,” it is not Matt N. that does the damage, but the illegal head shot by OVI….The only guy in the League who can get away with it “.
I have never appreciated that style of play especially from him. With Sid’s history of concussions that shot could put Crosby out of hockey for life.
We all certainly pray that is not the case!!
That was one dirty play by one dirty player. Is that the only way OVI can win ??
Ovi should be fined and suspended for 10 games !
Truthfully I hope he does go back to the KHL and stays there !!!!!!!!
If it was me, next game Ovi would need more security than Donald Trump ..
( And you thought Canadians were supposed to nice.)
A couple quick observances again.
Fleury is still playing out of his mind.
Shattenkirk now has sole possession of the worst +/- in the league. Orpik only got 13 minute of ice time but was even for the game.
I think the Capitals started the game out with a 20 minute powerplay.
Someone here keeps talking about it, the Penguins had some really bad passes out of the zone. Including a really bad blind one by Maatta
Last but not least and I’ve watched the video at least 50 times and posted it on the Penguinpoop facebook page, I’m pretty positive Ovechkin shot at Hainsey’s head on purpose in the last two minutes.
Here are the reasons I’m 99.99% positive:
He stopped the puck and had full control of the puck.
The puck wasn’t wobbling when he shot it like it would if it was on end.
It would have ended up 20ft over the net if he missed.
He looked right at Hainsey, not the net which is why Hainsey knew it was coming and was able to turn his head.
Ovechkin is a sharpshooter, watch his “Russian Doll” video on youtube if you need more proof
The game was over and out of hand, the Caps like Wilson started playing for the next game.
And finally, Ovechkin has a temper and tough time losing is just plain old not a good human being.
Hey Phil,
I missed the first two periods. However, watching the third, I kind of felt that it was odd that as close as Hainsey was to Ovie that the puck still found a way to hit him in the head. I dismissed it as me being paranoid. But now that you said that, I played with a guy that would shoot at people. I wonder if there is a way to take this before the league. Now that you have pretty much said the same thing I felt at first, where there is smoke there usually is fire……
What still bothers me is what Jayelene mentioned recently, how Ovie (and pretty much the whole league) was upset when Toronto gave him a little of what he gives. The only thing worse than a bully is a bully who cries and whines when he gets back what he gives and now that whine horses back side has potentially elevated his bullying to criminal proportions.
I heard somewhere yesterday that Ovie was going to still play in the Olympics next year and that he would have to face a year suspension and play next year in the KHL; sorry, but the league won’t miss the cry baby criminal if that is true.
Hi Phil and Other Rick,
I too wondered if it was an accident when Ovechkin lined up a “shot on goal” and missed so badly that he just happening to hit our D-man directly in the head. Pretty flukey, coming from a guy whose main hockey skill is sharpshooting. (Lucky for us he proficiencies out of playing defense.) I agree whole-heartedly with the Other Rick – this man is a classless human being. Hard to imagine the NHL taking any action against one of their superstars, but this is the kind of game action that could end a career, or worse. I just hope Hainsey will be ok.
Meanwhile, now I’m mad: GO PENS!
Jayelene
Now that you mention it, Phil …
I didn’t notice it in real time. However, something struck me as odd when I watched the replay…something in the way Ovechkin was looking at Hainsey.
It did flash through my mind that perhaps Ovechkin had shot at Ron, just as you suggest. You’d hate to think something like that might happen, but …
Rick
PS–While we’re on the subject, they showed a profile shot of Ovy before the game. If his brow becomes any more prominent, you could park cars on it. Hmmmm, wonder what that’s a sign of?
Yeah not the best performance in that game, but bottom line is a win. I apoligize to MAF and Jim I was a big fan of trading away MAF, but he has been our MVP so far.
Now this series is far from over, but we need to win both games at home and close it out. First it would be great to take #8 out in four!!! Second we can’t let them back in, after all they were the best reg. season team. The defence also needs to be better, with the first pass out and d-zone coverage needs to be better.
And as far as Niskanen and anyone else using there stick as a weapon or big hits, let’s beat them where it counts….on the score sheet.
The Caps have all the pressure on them, we have won and made it to finals, the Caps can’t make it passed the second round.
Let’s go boys!!
Been a while since I’ve wrote anything, but I’ve cheered all season long!!
Hey Pen’s 4ever,
Great to hear from you.
Astute comment regarding Niskanen and the Caps’ chippy play. Reminds me of something Scotty Bowman once said back in ’92. When asked how he’d like his team to respond after Mario Lemieux and Joey Mullen were injured by the Rangers, he replied, “I’d like us to score more goals. Putting the puck in the net is the best way to hurt the other team.”
I just have a hard time watching our guys get physically pounded.
Rick
Oh I agree..it’s very hard watching Sid or anyone else getting hammered, would love to see Big Tom runover backstrom or Beagle!!!
Hi Pen’s 4ever
Good to hear from you.
It has been a while..missed your thoughtful comments.
I here you about getting ahead of ourselves, but honestly I was worried that we would be down 2 games now and trying to think of insightful comments to lift everyone’s spirits.
So for me this is just like Christmas all over again.
This team finds ways to win while the Caps find ways to lose.
I am happy..happy . And the look on Ovi’s face was priceless.
Great day to be a Pens fan.
Don’ t be a stranger old friend…We miss you.
Cheers
Hi Rick,
Great recap my friend. Before this series started I and a few others were saying Pen’s in 6 games. It could still happen… but after last night I really do not think so. I never thought we would be up 2 games to nil but because of several factors,namely Fleury, Crosby,Kessel,Malkin,Cullen, Bonino, and Guentzel it happened. I know in Hockey you need to play and win 4 games to advance so some may see these comments as a little premature, but I really like our chances to advance to the next round.
Holtby, while being a Viezna candidate in the regular season has not played well in Toronto or the Pittsburgh series to date. The Caps d corps has been exploited for what they are.Mostly old and slow. With out Karl Alzner,his big frame and his plus 23, they have some real issues containing the Pen’s.
They miss him Rick more than we do Letang !
So if you are Barry Trotz, what do you do ?
Jim
Run up the white flag of surrender?
Kidding, sort of … 🙂
Great thoughts, Jim, especially regarding the Caps’ defense. Not to pick on a former favorite, but I’ve noticed Orpik has struggled around his own net the past couple of seasons.
Kind of an oxymoron–a defensive defenseman who really doesn’t defend all that well. If he’s not scattering bodies (and even when he does), Brooks has become a liability.
Ditto Shattenkirk. Lord, does he look awful. Agree that they miss Alzner a ton. Not to wish anybody misfortune, but I hope he doesn’t come back any time soon.
Rick
Hey Jim,
Regarding win 4, my mantra, once the play-offs started was, “Now, let’s win our last game this season!” In the NHL, that means 16Ws.
If you recall my friend, during the stretch run, I said I was less worried about CBJ and the Caps than everybody else seemed to be. I said I thought CBJ was not quite asa tough as they looked, pointing out that if you remove their win streak they were avg. I also said that although I had a healthy respect for Was, their psyche was extremely vulnerable. With Holtby hung out to dry by his D against some pretty tough sharp shooters and Ovie and crew wound tighter than a spring because this may be their last shot on top of the reality of their choke history, they are in need of serious puck luck.
However, just as I was not quite as concerned about those teams as others, I am still not sold on this Pens team yet. Horqvist, Hainsey, and Kuhnhackl may all be serious victims to one of the Pens weaknesses. The only facet of the Pens game I am really sold on is the team O.
Hey tOR,
About Ovie & history, I was thinking about it. The best move the Caps could make in the off-season would be to trade Ovechkin. Some team would give up a boat load of good players. He is seriously a one dimensional player who’s skill seems to be dropping fast. He is 31 and doesn’t seem to take care of himself like Crosby who is two years younger btw.
Hey Phil,
I mentioned above about something I have heard about Ovie ignoring the NHLs decision about playing in the Olympics. I really haven’t followed any of these discussions that closely, so many of the details aren’t there for me. I am focused on the current playoff situation. But when I over heard this discussion yesterday my ears started to perk up, If there was any merit to the discussion (Players playing in the Olympics, facing a years suspension if they do, Ovie planning on playing in the KHL next year), it may make an Ovie trade impossible and add to the pressure to win this year, since Was won’t even have him or any compensation for him next year.
The next thought I had was will he be able to come back the following year at 32-33? As you noted his skill set seems to be eroding rather quickly now. Crosby elevates the players around him but Ovie needs someone to help him. Funny thing is that when he was drafted Malkin was in the same draft and we/the Pens got Malkin because they lost the first lottery draft. Talk about losing the battle but winning the war. Had the Pens got the first pick in that draft they may have drafted Ovie instead. Playing wing for Crosby would no doubt have benefited him, but now all these years later, if the draft were held again, who would you choose; Ovechkin or Malkin?
Right you are Phil.
I am sure you all heard how last year after Ovi lost to us and Malkin, in the off season while in Russia he punched out Malkin’s agent. Temper !!! The guy is a prima dona !
I remember last year in a Boston game, Ovi took a run at one of the smaller Bruin forwards. It was a charge into the boards. No call. Nearly took his head off. 2 minutes later Chara, the big 6′ 8″, 270 pound Bruin d man drilled a Capitals forward into the boards, then went over to the Caps bench a pointed a finger at OVI. That was it. Nothing said, but # 8 got the message loud and clear. He never hit any one the entire game again.
So while I respect his goal scoring accomplishments to me he is no role model for my kids to follow.
Good point Phil.
Hey Coach
Yes you did mention the “mental state of Washington and the monkey they carried on their back” before most of us and it appears now to be true again this year. Great news for us, bad for them.
With regards to the Columbus series, that was the one where by I gained an even greater respect for our team and Coaching staff. CBJ hit us with everything possible from a physical perspective and still we came thru it as winners and relatively unharmed. I knew then there was nothing in the way of physical intimidation that the Cap’s could do to us that I had to worry about. Also Sergei- Bob was a great goalie and that Holtby was not that much better.Just a better team in front of him. After the near loss to Toronto, I knew then Holtby was vulnerable.
So regardless of what tomorrow brings from the Cap’s, our Pen’s believe they are the better team and are not one bit afraid of the Cap’s. I do not think the Cap’s feel the same way about us. They are scared and that makes them sloppy. If we can weather the first period next game and we are only down by 1 goal, then we will be in great shape. You know Coach that the Cap’s will do a repeat of game 2. Come out and try to over power us immediately ….
Why not sit back and play a complete defensive game and wait for a mistake or a penalty in the 3rd period? Let the Pens take the game to them and be patient .But that is not how their team thinks. Go,go,go!
Last point Coach.. Oshie and Shattenkirk are big name free agents in less than a week. Do you really think they are going to throw their body in front of a 95 mph slap shot and risk long term injury ? No way.
We are playing for a legacy. Repeat champions. Crosby is playing for the record books. MAF is playing for reputation ! We are not losing to the Caps in 2017.
Great comments as always…..We think a like on a lot of issues regarding our Pen’s.
Do not worry about the Oilers … come next year we all should worry.
Cheers,
Hey Jim,
I don’t feel one iota of sorrow for the Caps team, but I do have friends from the DC area who are really suffering right now. I do feel bad for them.
You make some really good points and as you say our opinions are very close. However, my superstitions forbid me from expanding on some points; the current state of this series, what I view as weaknesses within our own team, even what I am thinking about some of the Caps players (Ovie excluded) since this series isn’t over.
When the fat lady sings right or wrong I will let you know what I was thinking.
Hey Coach
You mentioned Ovi and the Olympics. There is a major controversy brewing over this issue. There are many other stars that plan to go too. At first the NHL was fining the player but that did not work.Players were going and pay the fine.
A lot of Russian and European players were going. In their home country an Olympic medal is more important than money. It is about playing for national honor.
Something the NHL greedy owner’s do not care about.
So then the NHL said we will suspend you and fine the team as well. So some owners like Ottawa said if Captain Eric K. wants to go …. he can .The Swedes like the Russians are very serious about this.
There are many players keeping quiet about going until the time comes.
I know a few high profile Canadian players planning to go as well. So Ovi is not the only one the league has to worry about.
Good discussion Coach.