I'm going to try something new with this game. I'm going to review the action as it progresses through the game, and then sum up the end result afterward.
Backstrom started things off well, but it was quickly cancelled out by a power play goal on a stupid penalty by Chris Clark. It was really bad because it brought life into the audience, which was hushed almost completely by Nik's early goal. Stupid penalties are going to kill the Caps if they don't cut it out.
Federov has had two magnificent chances early, and if he gets another it's hard to believe he wouldn't net it. However, Pittsburgh responded immediately. Varlamov made an unbelievable stop, but the defense once again failed him, first letting the puck stay in the zone, and then not boxing out and preventing the third chance that went in with Varlamov on his belly.
The refs made a questionable call (familiarly) on Ovechkin. Ovie was going hard for Gonchar, and they collided leg on leg, and Gonchar went down. The refs immediately called Ovie for tripping. There is no way to say definitively that that was intentional, or even truly tripping, Ovie was just better able to keep his balance after the hit, and fortunately, was not injured as well. I just don't see how the refs could make that call in the playoffs.
Subsequently, the Pens scored on a misplayed shot on the part of Varly, before even going to the power play. The only positive of that weak goal is that, in the past, when Varly allows an easy one, he then elevates his game.
The Penguins, after gaining the two goal lead started hitting, almost excessively. Fortunately the refs made a good call and called Malkin for an illegal hit. The Caps had two great opportunities on the first part of the power play, but couldn't capitalize. They have the majority of it remaining in the second period.
2nd Period:
Going into the second period, the Caps need to regain the momentum and even up the scoring, or at least stop the bleeding on defense and not allow any more goals to the Penguins. They can start by scoring on the abbreviated power play that opens the period while Malkin is in the box.
However, the Caps were completely incapable of entering the zone. Then the Penguins had a break and drew a penalty on Federov, on another questionable call. Malkin knocked Federov's stick out of his hands to no call, and then Federov was called for holding when he cleared Malkin out. The Caps managed to kill the penalty, but Varlamov looked very unsure of himself each time he had to go down.
Cooke acted and tried to draw a penalty that was mercifully and correctly not made. The defense has been outplayed by the forecheckers and aren't going hard after the puck when it's dumped below the goal line. And then they got beat back and Backstrom ended up being penalized. After killing the previous penalty, the Caps needed to kill this one decisively to regain a bit of the momentum.
And soon after, they managed to get a power play. However, they didn't get much of anything going, and then were immediately whistled for another penalty. The refs really need to tone it back in these games and let the two teams play a bit more.
The Caps dominated in that Penalty Kill, and actually had more scoring chances than the Pens. Mike Green finally did something, went around two defenders, and put it on net. It hit the pipe but Chris Clark was crashing the net and got the rebound. The caps are going to have to continue to crash the net and get the dirty, rough goals.
After the goal, the Penguins were flat and the Caps regained the momentum. In a very good offensive series, Semin got pulled down in front of the net and drew the penalty, putting the Caps on another penalty. Even if the refs are being a bit too whistle happy in this game, at least it's been evenly distributed, for the most part, in this game.
The power play was very uneventful for the Caps to end the second period. They were very stationary after a couple good opportunities. However, the Caps did do what they needed to in the second period to get back into the game. They shut down the Penguins offense, didn't allow a shot in the last 14:00 minutes of the period, and managed to score to get one to get closer. If this continues, the Caps have a good chance of crawling back into this one and at least forcing OT.
3rd Period:
The third has started out very even. The Caps had a couple good breaks and arguably could have drawn a couple penalties. They also had a couple defensive breakdowns, and Green running up to the offensive zone allowed a 2 on 1 and Crosby scored on it. Once again, Green's offensive-mindedness, while causing the Caps second goal, also allowed the Penguins third.
And then Erskine committed a dumb penalty and put the Caps a man down when the Penguins just revitalized the fans and their team. The Caps have a very steep hill to climb at this point.
And just when it seemed darkest, Bradley provided some great physical work, knocking two penguins on their butts in their own zone before getting the puck to Jurcina at the point, who then buried the goal. The Penguins looked completely confused and lost at the end of their own power play.
The Penguins responded quickly, but Varlamov made a couple good stops and play continued with the Caps down one. After a few offensive attempts, the Penguins became much more defensive minded and were content to make the Caps come from behind their own net all the way down the ice.
The Caps started playing a bit riskier, pulling one D-man up into the offensive zone, but needed to take the risk. However, Green did a bad job getting back on a give away on his own doing, which resulted in another Penguin goal. That one was pretty weak, and Varly should have had it. He's definitely looked human in this game. Though he flashed some spectacular saves from time to time.
Game in Review:
The Caps only got away 22 shots in this game, once again being outshot badly. That is one of several things that needs to change if the Caps are going to win this series. Varly was human for the first time in these playoffs, but you can't blame him. The Caps can't rely on him each night, and he might be tired from all the work he's done to keep the Caps in these past two games at all, and honestly, every game he's played.
Green should be benched, for at least one game. He's been playing terribly. He had his first offensive moment of the series and got an assist on it, but he was also the direct cause of at least two of the goals. He's not helping any on defense, which is the biggest part of the Caps that need to improve.
So far in this series, the team that scored first has lost the game. That said, I won't turn down an early score tomorrow. The scariest thing coming out of this game is that the Penguins have completely captured the momentum, and they don't have a day off to shrug off tonight's game.
If the Caps want to win tomorrow, and win this series, they need a few things to happen: The defense has to keep Varlamov from facing so many shots, Mike Green needs to play hard on defense and put offense second in his mind, unless he gets moved to winger and someone else takes his play on D. The power play needs to be reawakened, and Semin needs to show up and take some of the heat from Backstrom and Ovie. The Caps need to be able to take more shots, and lastly, the Caps need to continue crashing the net and getting scoring from unexpected places. Right now, it seems like a bit of a tall order overall. Hopefully the home crowd will give the boys a boost tomorrow night.
Until next time,
-TES
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