The Washington Capitals (7-6-1) overcame a 3-0 deficit in the second period to tie it up. However, the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-4-2) added two more in the third to win 5-3 Thursday night.
After crushing the St. Louis Blues a day earlier, the Capitals finished the set of back-to-back games with a trip to Pittsburgh.
The biggest problem for the Capitals in this game was special teams. They took three penalties in the first period, as Sidney Crosby scored twice on the power play.
In the second period, former Capital Anthony Mantha added an even-strength goal as Pittsburgh led 3-0.
However, the Capitals were able to score three unanswered goals courtesy of Dylan Strome, Rasmus Sandin, and Tom Wilson to tie it up at 3-3.
Unfortunately, the Capitals went on the penalty kill again in the third, as Bryan Rust sent the puck home to give Pittsburgh back the lead at 4-3. Conor Dewar later scored an empty-netter to seal it.
The Capitals have now lost five of their last six as they head to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning on Saturday.
Capitals Analysis
Coming off one of their best games of the season at home, the Capitals fell flat in the opening period. They had problems with the puck, failing to get it out of the zone or up ice.
They also took three penalties in the first, with two of those penalty kills being costly. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby has been at it for 20 years now, as he scored two power play goals on Charlie Lindgren.
As for the Capitals on the man advantage, they couldn’t get much going there either. The team went 0-for-3 on the power play, as they are now 1-for-19 in their last six games.
Mantha added another Pittsburgh goal to make it 3-0, as it seemed like the Capitals had no answer.
However, the top line of Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier gave the team a spark in the middle frame. Ovechkin set up Strome for the Capitals’ first tally on the night.
Then, Ryan Leonard originally cut the deficit to 3-2 with a goal of his own. However, it was waived off due to Aliaksei Protas being offsides.
But it didn’t matter because 38 seconds after the call, Strome and Ovechkin helped Sandin make it 3-2 for real this time.
The Capitals went on to tie it at 3-3 with 3.6 seconds left in the second period when Wilson scored in front of the net. This marked Wilson’s team-leading ninth goal of the season.
In the third period, the Capitals went on the power play with a chance to complete the miraculous comeback. However, a Strome penalty resulted in a 4-on-4 and abbreviated penalty kill.
Pittsburgh then answered by taking back the lead thanks to Rust, who hit the post a couple times earlier.
Dewar then sealed it with a long shot into the empty net just as Lindgren exited the ice, with the Capitals’ rally attempt falling short.
Amazingly, both teams finished with the same amount of shots (31-31) and faceoffs won (30-30).
Capitals Report Card
Team: C+
The team got off to a rough first period, then got it together in the second. Unfortunately, they just could not finish in the final period.
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan-Strome-Anthony Beauvillier: A
The top line really came to play, especially in the second period. Ovechkin was very physical and recorded two assists. Strome was the team MVP with three points (one goal, two assists).
Capitals Special Teams: F
Special teams continues to be an issue for the Capitals. They gave up three goals on the penalty kill and went 0-for-3 on the power play. Head coach Spencer Carbery will have to make some changes again.
Tom Wilson: B
Wilson has proven himself to be a fan favorite in Pittsburgh…NOT. He came through with a game-tying goal with 3.6 seconds left in the second period. He now has nine goals on the season and extended his point streak to four games.
Charlie Lindgren: D
Sure, Lindgren gave up four goals, including three on the penalty kill. However, the special teams goals weren’t completely his fault. The team made several misplays on the PK that led to those Pittsburgh tallies. Despite making 26 saves, Lindgren is now 1-2-1 this season.
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