The Capitals probably have no business being in the playoff race at the moment, for any number of reasons that we can talk about another time…and frankly, the Penguins don’t, either, for a number of slightly different reasons.
Nonetheless, here they both are – which means last night’s game was kind of important, with the Penguins sitting three points back coming into the proceedings at Capital One Arena. No one gave the Capitals that memo, however, as they proceeded to fall behind early and only find a last gasp when it was far too late (and let’s be honest, even that gasp was more of a gentle sigh).
But hey, Alex Ovechkin scored (thereby keeping the Caps from the humiliation of being shut out by both of Pittsburgh’s goalies in the same season). So uh. That was cool.
Three Takeaways:
- Kind of amazing that the Capitals have drawn just three two-man advantages this season (and after last night, have scored on exactly one of them). We mentioned it in the recap last night, too, but their suddenly reinvigorated power play picked the worst possible time to go back to sleep – first, failing to cash in on a double-minor in overtime against the Bruins last weekend, then disappearing in that extended five-on-three last night. Brutal.
- Charlie Lindgren has had a couple of rather un-Lindgren-esque outings of late. Not entirely on him, as his team has been hot and cold in front of him, but last night he never really looked comfortable.
- Fun (?) fact: last night was just the eighth time that the Caps have kept both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby completely off the scoresheet (and the third time they’ve lost despite doing so, the second in regulation).
They Said It:
“We try to create extra pass. We’re holding puck a little bit longer, try to find the pretty play. It’s not going to work, especially at that kind of moment in the season when everybody concentrates on winning. Everybody plays a little faster. You have to make a decision quicker.” – Alex Ovechkin