Game Recap – 11/7/2018 – Pittsburgh Penguins v. Washington Capitals

 

Pittsburgh Penguins (6-4-3 15pts) v. Washington Capitals (6-4-3 15pts)

 

Lineups:

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Dominik Simon — Sidney Crosby — Bryan Rust

Carl Hagelin — Evgeni Malkin — Patric Hornqvist

Jake Guentzel — Riley Sheahan — Phil Kessel

Zach Aston-Reese — Matt Cullen — Garrett Wilson

Brian Dumoulin — Kris Letang

Olli Maatta — Chad Ruhwedel

Jack Johnson — Jamie Oleksiak

Casey DeSmith

Matt Murray

Scratched: Juuso Riikola, Daniel Sprong

Injured: Justin Schultz (left leg fracture), Derick Brassard (lower body)

 

Washington Capitals:

Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Dmitrij Jaskin

Chandler Stephenson — Nicklas Backstrom — T.J. Oshie

Andre Burakovsky — Lars Eller — Brett Connolly

Jakub Vrana — Travis Boyd — Devante Smith-Pelly

Dmitry Orlov — Matt Niskanen

Michal Kempny — John Carlson

Christian Djoos — Madison Bowey

Braden Holtby

Pheonix Copley

Scratched: Nic Dowd

Injured: Brooks Orpik (lower body)

Suspended: Tom Wilson

 

First Period:

Penguins Penalty – 2:17 – Jamie Oleksiak 2 minutes for Slashing

Capitals Penalty – 11:33 – Jakub Vrana 2 minutes for Tripping

Penguins PPG – 12:16 – Sidney Crosby (7) from Jack Johnson (2)

Penguins Penalty – 15:09 – Carl Hagelin 2 minutes for Goalie Interference

 

End of 1st – PIT – 1       WAS – 0

Shots            09                07

Faceoffs       11                07

Hits               14                04

PP                 1/1               0/2

 

Analysis:

This was an ok period for the Capitals. They were able to generate some chances, but the Penguins were very aggressive with their coverage forcing the issue, especially on special teams.

 

Need to Do:

The Capitals need to pick up their physicality. The Penguins are dominating them physically, and that is why the Penguins are generating some of the better quality scoring chances. Also the Capitals need to do a better job of establishing zone time in the Penguins zone.

 

Second Period:

Penguins Penalty – 6:33 – Sidney Crosby 2 minutes for Hooking

Capitals PPG – 7:09 – Alex Ovechkin (12) from John Carlson (12) and Nicklas Backstrom (14)

Capitals Penalty – 9:35 – Michal Kempny 2 minutes for Tripping

Penguins Penalty – 11:27 – Jake Guentzel 2 minutes for Tripping

Penguins Penalty – 15:05 – Evgeni Malkin 2 minutes for Roughing

 

End of 2nd – PIT – 1        WAS – 1

Shots               26                 17

Faceoffs          19                 18

Hits                 22                  12

PP                   1/2                  1/5

 

Analysis:

This was another ok period for the Capitals. They started well and drew a good amount of penalties against the Penguins, however, the Capitals only capitalized on one of those powerplays. It was very evident that both teams did not play a full 20 minutes.

 

Need to Do:

The Capitals need to bring out their physical game. They are still getting out worked by Pittsburgh, and the Penguins are playing a lot choppier, and it is helping them generate scoring chances. Also the Capitals need to do a much better job on their powerplay opportunities. They’ve had 5 thus far and only one was successful.

 

Third Period:

Capitals Penalty – 2:36 – Christian Djoos 2 minutes for Holding

Penguins Penalty – 3:27 – Evgeni Malkin 5 minute major for Illegal Hit to the Head & Game Misconduct

Capitals Goal – 18:46 – TJ Oshie (8) from John Carlson (13) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (13)

 

End of 3rd – PIT – 1         WAS – 2

Shots              42                   22

Faceoffs        31                    28

Hits               28                     22

PP                 1/3                    1/6

 

Analysis:

Despite the Capitals having a horrible night in the shot department and with the powerplay, they were able to persevere and win this one 2-1. TJ Oshie took a stick near his eye, and then much later was elbowed in the head by Evgeni Malkin, but neither events would keep him in the locker room as he would return both times, and the second time he came back would score the game winning goal to give the Capitals the victory. Also Braden Holtby played out of his mind and made a lot of amazing saves tonight.

 

Next Up:

Washington (7-4-3 17pts) v. Columbus (8-6-1 17pts)

Pittsburgh (6-5-3 15pts) v. Arizona (7-6-0 14pts)

 

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