East Division Update - February 14th

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have the best rivalry in the NHL (in my opinion), with two of the best to ever play leading their respective teams. Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby has won about everything there is to win, except for rookie of the year. That which belongs to Capitals' captain Alex Ovechkin, who is the best goal scorer of our generation, and possibly the best goal scorer to ever to put on skates. This game was highly anticipated and nasty, as these matchups always are: Happy Valentines Day!

(Credit: PensBurgh)

CAPITALS @ PENGUINS

This game had a little bit of an extra intensity to it, as it was the biggest matchup across the NHL today, and it happened to fall on Valentines Day. The game began with the usual feeling out process, especially because Washington had not played in a week, and was coming in losers of three straight.

- The Penguins mantra for this season so far is starting games slow, and tonight continued that trend. The Capitals got an early two powerplay chances, as Pens defenseman Kris Letang and forward Jason Zucker took penalties back to back just two minutes into the first period. Washington was unsuccessful on the first attempt, but managed to get some zone time on the second chance. The puck came to Caps forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, and he threw a puck on net which deflected off Pittsburgh defenseman John Marino's stick, and into the net for an early 1-0 Caps lead. This is exactly what the Caps needed, after having lost to Pittsburgh twice in the previous two meetings with them this season.

- The Penguins started to pick up their game shortly after the Kuznetsov goal, and established a good rotation in the offensive zone. The Penguins changed lines quickly, and captain Sidney Crosby came flying into the middle of the zone. He backed off the defense, and threw a slick backhand pass to defenseman Mike Matheson, who slid the puck to forward Bryan Rust for a tap in, evening the game at 1-1. This is what the Penguins are capable of doing at their best, they just can't seem to start on time.

- The Penguins were really starting to skate now, putting the Capitals on their heels. A few minutes following the first Pens goal, Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel slapped one on net, and tenacious forward Brandon Tanev outworked Capitals' defenseman Justin Schultz to the loose change. He then slammed it past Vitek Vanecek for a 2-1 Pittsburgh lead. The Penguins were clearly flying now, and Washington had to do something to stop it. The Capitals would get some more chances through the first, but were unable to beat goaltender Tristan Jarry.

- The second period began with more trading of chances, until Washington began cycling the puck on a shift about halfway through the second. Forward Jakub Vrana was hovering around the net looking for loose change, when Jarry poked the puck away from the net front scrum, right onto his stick. Needless to say, he found the back of the net on the backhand, and the Caps tied it 2-2.

- About a minute after this goal, however, the Penguins generated a power play opportunity. This came after an interference call on Washington's' NIklas Backstrom. On the PP, defenseman Kris Letang threw one intentionally wide of the net, and Bryan Rust beat a sliding Vanecek to the post for his second goal of the game, and a 3-2 Pittsburgh lead. This goal was big for the Penguins, as their power play was on a slump, not having scored in a handful of games, and being just 13.5% on the year.

- The Penguins would get another goal later in the second, as Crosby once again backed off the defense of Washington, and threw a puck on net. The rebound came shooting out quickly, and Jake Guentzel was johnny on the spot to put the Pens up 4-2. This goal was another big one for Pittsburgh, as they haven't held a two goal lead all season.

- Washington knew they had to get back in the game, and just when it seemed like it was going right for Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin turned the puck over skating towards his own net. He got his stick lifted by Caps forward NIck Backstrom, who angled it past Tristan Jarry to cut the Penguins' lead in half. This goal gave Washington the life they needed, and they nearly got the game even before the end of the second period.

- The Penguins regrouped in the third, and came out strong, defending the one goal lead very well. Pittsburgh controlled the pace through the entire period, and Washington had no choice but to pull their goaltender to try and even this game up. About :30 seconds after Vanecek vacated the net, Pens forward Zach Aston Reese made a play and threw the puck into the empty net, making it 5-3 and sealing the game for the Penguins. Washington tried once more with the extra skater with :45 seconds remaining, but it failed them once again. Captain Sidney Crosby, who was good all night for Pittsburgh, flew toward the empty net with only Tom WIlson on him. WIlson tried to hook the Penguins captain, but it wasn't enough, as he slid it in from his keen for another ENG, and a 6-3 Pens lead.

- The Penguins would solidify the victory, as it was only their second game all year won in regulation. As for Washington, they have now lost four straight, and continue to struggle with defense and goaltending. The Penguins outshot the Capitals, 38-31.