Pens beat Caps in regulation for first time since March of 2008
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Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson lit Matt Cooke up with a questionable hit in the late seconds of Pittsburgh’s 2-1 win Thursday. You can view the hit
here. There were only four seconds remaining in regulation and the puck was in the Washington end, but no penalty was called.
Will the NHL fine and/or suspend Carlson for the hit? Would the league reprimand Cooke if he had been on the delivering end of the hit? Is there a double standard?
Actually, I think we know the answers to the above questions. At this point, it will be interesting to see whether top cop Brendan Shanahan writes Carlson a ticket or lets him off with a warning. Carlson is a good shot blocker but he isn’t the second coming of Dion Phaneuf, in terms of physical play.
Mike Knuble’s 13-game point streak ended against Pittsburgh. Radio announcer Phil Bourque mentioned after the game that the 39-year-old Knuble looks like he’s lost some foot speed (though how much has he ever had?) His run of as a Penguins killer may be nearing its end.
Alexander Ovechkin registered 10 hits. He’s becoming a Dustin Brown/Brenden Morrow hybrid without the scoring. Actually, the Caps aren’t paying Ovie nine million beans per season to lead the league in hits: rather to lead the league in points. Maybe the
Ovechtrick is no longer nine goals but nine hits.
Simon Despres debuted Thursday and did well. His stats say that he collected his first NHL assist and finished plus-2. He had a few rookie gaffes, but who doesn’t? It’s still hard to understand why the team sent Alexandre Picard down and recalled Despres, especially if Zbynek Michalek and Kris Letang are only out for another game or two. Then again, if Letang is forced to miss significant time Despres might help replace a modicum of his offense on the second power play. We shall see.
Matt Niskanen stood out as the team’s top defender Thursday night. Paul Martin led all blueliners with 28:11 TOI. I wasn’t overly impressed when he was pressured on the power play with five minutes left. Martin carried the puck backwards the whole way behind his own net and turned it over. I might have to pretend Mark Eaton wears number 7 on Martin’s uniform so I have no preconceived notions about singling out Martin’s bad plays. Right now I simply see everything bad he does.
Washington’s 17 shots against the Pens were its fewest ever against Pittsburgh, according to Bob Grove of the Penguins Radio Network.
Pascal Dupuis may be the team’s best offseason re-signing but Arron Asham continues to give plenty of bang for the buck.
Caps fans tried to do the Philadelphia boo every time Crosby touched the puck, but there chants were not impressive. Maybe if they pretended Crosby was wearing Larry Murphy’s sweater then we could revisit the “whoop, whoop” noises.
Cody Eakin’s bloop shot in a wide open slot plopped into Marc-Andre Fleury’s arms with ease late in the third period. Eakin’s mis-hit epitomized Washington’s struggles; he basically just shrugged his shoulders and looked like there was nothing else he could do.
John Carlson’s last second hit on Cooke might’ve been a frustration hit on his part after Craig Adams set him up with one check before Brooks Orpik sent Carlson flying skyward moments before Carlson’s collision with Cooke.
Sidney Crosby lost 16 of 22 faceoff and no Penguins player finished with more faceoff wins than losses.
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I'm signing off early today for an appointment with the dentist today. Consider yourself lucky today!
Treasure life!
JT
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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