Today's game recap is going to follow a little bit of a different format; I've taken on another writing opportunity with
HighHeels&Hockey, a Pittsburgh-based hockey blog, so my commitment to covering Penguins action at DobberHockey could change
slightly.
I'll try to provide as many period recaps as I possibly can - as I know people who are unable to watch the games really appreciate this type of coverage - but it's incredibly time-consuming before/during/after the games.
I hope everyone will bear with me and stick with the coverage, I promise I will put everything I have into it.
- mounD
Without further ado, here we go w/ some Pens/Caps Postgame:
- The Penguins came out very strong in the 1st Period of this afternoon's game at Consol Energy Center. Kris Letang scored on the PP at 4:51 on a seeing-eye slapshot from the point that fooled Neuvirth after splitting a crowd in front of the net. The Penguins followed up with another goal just over a minute later. Off a Malkin faceoff win, James Neal fired the puck high glove-side, beating Neuvirth to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead. Entering the 1st Intermission, the Penguins were riding a dominant 2-goal lead and seemed to have the extra jump winning all the 1-on-1 puck battles.
- The 2nd Period, however, was a much different story for the Penguins. Going into the period, the Pens were shorthanded on a hi-sticking call to Eric Tangradi, and following the PK the Penguins were unable to get any offense going. Over the first several minutes of the 2nd, the Capitals only allowed 1 SOG to the Penguins, and nearly halfway through the period the Capitals were able to break through. Brooks Laich scored on a wrist-shot at 11:02 of the period, and Alexander Semin added another goal off a beautiful Alexander Ovechkin rush and pass to tie the affair 2-2. The Penguins were able to create some chances over the second half of the period, but going into the 3rd Period the Capitals were pushing the tempo.
- In the 3rd Period things got ugly for the Penguins. Fast. Alex Ovechkin scored on a cross-ice feed, firing a puck past Fleury low short side at 1:08 of the 3rd to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead in the hockey game. It was Ovechkin's 3rd point of the afternoon [his FIRST 3-point game of the entire season!]. Malkin would have to answer this bullshit with some dazzling of his own. Just past the 7-minute mark of the period, Malkin took matters into his own hands with a beautiful end-to-end rush with the puck. He was unable to control the puck splitting the Caps' defenders, but he corralled the puck in the corner and put a beautiful chance on a platter for James Neal. The gifted sniper didn't disappoint the Consol Energy Center crowd, firing the shot up and over Neuvirth's shoulder on the short side.
The Penguins very nearly lost this game in the final seconds as Brooks Laich fired a booming shot off the far post / crossbar past Fleury's right shoulder. The post provided some good luck, and the teams entered OT tied 3-3.
- The Penguins didn't waste any time getting to work in the OT period. Sustained pressure led to Penguins chances, but after nearly a minute and a half, Malkin again took over the affairs of this contest. Skating through the entire offensive zone, Malkin set up a beautiful passing play that eventually left him all alone in front w/ a juicy rebound at his feet. At 1:31 of OT Malkin blasted the puck up and over a sprawling Neuvirth, clinching the Penguins 4-3 OT victory.
- Evgeni Malkin led all Penguins forwards with 22:39 TOI [4:57 on PP], firing 6 SOG and registering 3 points [1G,2A] and a +3 rating. James Neal skated 21:46 TOI also firing 6 SOG and scoring 3 points [2G,1A], 2 PIM and a +3 rating. This duo has been AMAZING for the Penguins, especially in the absence of Sidney Crosby. During the Penguins 6-game winning streak, Malkin and Neal have certainly carried the offensive play for the Penguins. Chris Kunitz should NOT be forgotten, though, as he is playing very well defensively and contributing to the chemistry of the Malkin-Neal tandem on a nightly basis.
- Kris Letang led all Penguins players w. 27:09 TOI [4:00 on PP; 1:30 on SH], also firing 6 SOG and scoring 3 points [1G,2A]. His important to this Penguins team cannot be understated, so I will continue to state it. This guy is dynamite, having scored 6 points [3 games] since returning from a concussion suffered Nov. 26th. With Letang in the lineup, the Penguins are a much different, and better team. His partner Brooks Orpik finished the afternoon with 24:04 TOI [3:16 on SH], registering 1 Assist and 2 PIM.
Three Stars:
1. Evgeni Malkin [surprise, surprise] was a force of nature this afternoon against the Washington Capitals. Geno scored 3 points [1G,2A] in the game, including a primary assist on James Neal's third-period tying goal and the GWG in Overtime. Apparently Michal Neuvirth didn't have an answer for the age-old question:
'What you gonna do when Malkamania's comin' for you, brother?'
2. Alexander Ovechkin had his best game of the season offensively in this afternoon's tilt. Ovechkin registered 2 Assists during the 2nd Period, and scored early in the 3rd to give the Capitals their first lead in the hockey game. Ovechkin fired 2 SOG, scored 3 pts. [1G,2A] and finished the game w/ a +3 rating in 20:35 TOI [5:05 on PP]. It appears Oven Chicken is awakening from his early-season slumber. Rip van Winkle, bitches.
3. James Neal continues his incredible break-out season, and has been among the top-5 goalscorers all season. Neal scored his 25th and 26th goals of the season in today's game, including the game-tying goal late in the 3rd Period. Neal added 6 SOG and 2 PIM to his 3-point afternoon. I can't even begin to tell you how many people I had to "talk off the ledge" this past offseason with respect to the James Neal trade. I have a cash bet with a friend, and it looks like I'm only 4 goals away from making $100 [14 away from $150]. Thank you, James Neal.
HM: Marc-Andre Fleury made his 21st straight appearance in goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Workhorse emerging [refer to my previous post / article]??? I certainly think so. There could be a couple reasons for this: 1) either Bylsma has supreme confidence in MAF's conditioning / confidence, or 2) Bylsma is losing confidence in Brent Johnson after a few 'bad' starts. It's possible that it could be some combination of the pair, but I believe it's mostly the former.
In any event, Fleury was strong enough to earn his 25th win of the season, stopping 17/20 Washington Shots on Goal. Not really the best performance of his career or anything, but Fleury gets the HM this afternoon for beginning to establish himself as the NHL's next workhorse goaltender [70+ games].
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Originally Posted by mounD
