For the Penguins, their win in Game 3 extends a hot streak that has seen them claim victory in 20 of their past 24 contests, lifting them past Washington to -130 favorites on the National Hockey League series prices, and to +260 chalk on the odds to win the Stanley Cup. It’s an image of distress, one that has unfortunately defined this Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. After all, the Capitals’ average player weight is 205 pounds, while the Penguins’ average roster weight is just 197 pounds.
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On Wednesday night, Patric Hornqvist gave Penguins fans a reason to celebrate with an overtime decision, firing the game-winning goal two minutes, 34 seconds into the extra period to give the Penguins a 3-2 Game 4 win and a 3-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals.
“That’s why it’s sudden death”. “That’s what it feels like”. “We’ll just have to live with it. This group has dealt with a lot of things”.
But the absence of Penguins breakout specialist Letang – he created two goals with stretch passes in Game 3 – might have hurt on Carlson’s fourth goal of the playoffs.
Who will win this game? Topics include the suspensions of Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang, the play of Alex Ovechkin, and just how he got the nickname “Doc”.
“We said it in the room”. “It wasn’t our best game but we hung in there”. “It was a good game by them”.
It’s not that anyone expected the Penguins to take a knee. Barring a meltdown, coach Mike Sullivan has no plans – at least in this round – from making any sort of switch.
This series has been a rollicking, jalopy ride of high skill, rock-hard physicality and nastiness, and terrific goaltending.
Kuznetsov has racked up only two points – one goal and one assist – in 10 post-season games this year and has yet to register an even-strength point after finishing third in the National Hockey League in 5-on-5 points during the regular season.
“It’s not the best place to be”, Washington defenseman John Carlson said.
To say this was a must win for the Capitals is an understatement.
The Penguins (2-1) are seeking for another win after beating their opponents in Game 3.
But how do you reconcile hitting as a way to exhaust a team and retrieve possession vs. causing injury? “It’s always the most challenging one”. The Pens had a very poor start in the opening minutes of Game 3, they were out-shot and pressured by the Caps.
“We knew going in, when you lose your top-minute guy, probably our best player the whole year, it wasn’t going to be just the six of us”, Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley said. At this point, you lay it on the line, and that’s not good enough.
“Last game in the third period, we had a little bit of a letdown, sitting back on our heels, and we made it more of a game than we wanted to be”, said Troy Brouwer, who had a goal and an assist. They could not close the door and lost Game 7 in overtime at Madison Square Garden. Pittsburgh has blown such a lead three times, most recently against the Rangers in 2014, also in the second round.
It happens. And it might yet happen here.
Both Stars forwards Tyler Seguin and Patrick Eaves are still at home in Dallas, and neither will be playing in Game 4 on Thursday night.
“When our team is at its best, our defense starts 190 feet from our net with our puck pursuit, hanging onto pucks down low in the offensive zone, controlling territory, and using our foot speed to our advantage”, he said.
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Calgary took a big step backward this year after reaching the playoffs last season. I think it sucks.
