Six Breathless Contests



Game 1: Caps 3 - Pens 2



The opener was an apprehensive view into what was about to happen in this series. Both teams played with ragged nerves and a severe level of caution, never really fully opening up. Varlamov was incredible making 34 saves, including the “Save of the Playoffs” on Sidney Crosby while Flash got the game winner early into the 3rd period.

Crosby and Ovechkin were the focal point of the opening match-up and did not fail to deliver, setting the stage for what would be on the best playoff games in history.

"Goalies are taught to never give up," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "You look at all the great goalies that are in hockey, and no matter where the play is, they never give up. They keep fighting. And, that's the only way the (Martin) Brodeurs, Tim Thomases and (Roberto) Luongos make great saves; it's because they never give up."

3 Stars

1. Varlamov
2. Steckel
3. Crosby



Game 2: Caps 4 – Pens 3


Not exactly quiet in Game 1, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were simply outstanding in Game 2.

It may go down as one of the greatest 1 on 1 battles in playoff history as Ovechkin and Crosby lit the lamp 3 times each, providing all the fireworks that could be expected and more.

Although David Steckel’s late 2nd period tally would be the difference in this game, the real story would be how Sid and OV dominated the game. They out-classed everyone on the ice and drove home the point that these two truly are the greatest players in the game.

"It's everything the media has made it out to be, a battle of the two best players in hockey, and tonight they both carried their teams," Capitals defenseman Mike Green said. "We were fortunate that Alex was at the top of his game."

3 Stars

1. Ovechkin
2. Crosby
3. Varlamov


Game 3: Pens 3 – Caps 2(OT)


With their return to the Igloo, the Pens were given a fresh start in front of their home fans. Despite the lack of effort in the first 2 games, Evgeni Malkin would be the difference in this game, finally making a statement that he should be included in the Crosby/Ovechkin debate.

Injured in Game 2, it would be Kris Letang who would provide the overtime heroics, giving the Pens their first win of the series in dramatic fashion as his shot from the point deflected off of the inside of Shaone Morrisonn’s leg and past Varlamov.

"At the end, the more you shoot the more chances you get," Letang said. "So I kept shooting and it ended up being the best thing."

3 Stars

1. Malkin
2. Letang
3. Varlamov


Game 4: Pens 5 – Caps 3


It was the only game decided by more than 1 goal in the series, yet did not come without its controversies. Despite scoring first, the Caps fell behind quickly as the Pens scored 3 in the first period. Falling behind so quickly, it was almost impossible for Washington to catch Pittsburgh. Although they made a valiant effort, crawling to within 1 when Milan Jurcina scored a short-handed goal to bring the score early into the 3rd. Yet, it was all for naught as Simeon Varlamov crashed back down to earth with his worst performance of the playoffs(5 goals on 28 shots).

Alex Ovechkin played his mildest game of the series, yet made his mark when he took out Pens defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Gonchar would leave the game and miss the next two, throwing a touch of doubt on the Penguins blue line.

"He struggled," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said of the 21-year-old Russian rookie, who faced 28 shots and allowed five goals -- his poorest showing in this year's playoffs. "He's human. He hasn't had a bad game. You look at it as his 10th game in the playoffs and arguably there were four soft goals out of the five. But he'll bounce back. He's a real competitive guy."

3 Stars

1. Crosby
2. Scuderi
3. Talbot



Game 5: Pens 4 – Caps 3(OT)


For the first time in the series, no one scored in the first period. The final forty minutes was an entirely different story as both clubs traded 3 goals apiece before dragging the contest to overtime.

Fleury played a strong game for the Pens and made key saves in overtime, giving the Pens the ability to counter-attack. In another stroke of bad luck in overtime, Evgeni Malkin would pocket the winner, but not without the help of Tom Poti as Poti would knock the game winner through Varlamov’s legs in an attempt to break up a cross crease pass to Sidney Crosby.

It was a stern wake-up call for a Caps team that had somehow lost its way after winning the first two games of the series.

"Their guy coming in down the wall and I think he beat our guy wide," Poti said. "You know it's Malkin so you can't give him too much time and space and it became a 2-on-1. I tried to go down and take the pass away and I tried to take away his angle coming into the net. He tried to make a pass and it went off my glove or my stick or something. Just a bad bounce, an unfortunate bounce.

"He's a guy who can make that play and score a goal so I don't think there's anything I'd do different. It's just an unlucky bounce and there's nothing you can really do about it."

3 Stars

1. Malkin
2. Staal
3. Fedotenko


Game 6: Caps 5 – Pens 4(OT)


It must have been the alignment of the stars or maybe it was a reversal of fortunes. Whatever it was, the Caps deeply appreciated it as they fought the Pens tooth and nail to force this series to a pinnacle game.

Once again, Ovechkin and Crosby waged a battle of epic proportions as both superstars led the way for their respective teams. The end result was another overtime game(the 3rd time in 6 games) and yet another Caps victory when facing elimination. The secondary scoring paved the way for Washington as Viktor Kozlov(2), Tomas Fleischmann and Brooks Laich scored during regulation, while David Steckel tipped home the winner in OT, avenging his missed opportunity to win the game for the Caps in Game 5.

All in all, did there ever really seem like there was a chance that this series would finish before the 7 game mark? Fate, destiny…whatever the reason may be; this series has been an instant classic and has set up one of the most highly anticipated Game 7’s in NHL playoff history.

"There was a lot of talk before the series started and it's everything it was made out to be," Crosby said. "We would have loved to finish it off here and it could have worked out that way, but let's just say we're all not surprised that it's going seven."

3 Stars

1. Kozlov
2. Ovechkin
3. Crosby

EPIC CAPITALS-PENGUINS SERIES TO BE DECIDED WEDNESDAY IN GAME 7


NEW YORK (May 12, 2009) -- An already-classic series will reach its dramatic crescendo Wednesday night when the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal (7 p.m., ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS).

From the miraculous save by Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov in Game 1, to the dueling hat tricks by Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby in Game 2, to the overtime goal by unheralded David Steckel for Washington to force a seventh game, this series has met and exceeded all expectations:

Close games. Five of the first six games have been decided by one goal; the other was a one-goal game late in the third period. Three of the games have required overtime. The teams have been tied or separated by one goal 92% of the time. Both teams have led in each of the six games. There have been goals in 20 of 21 periods.

Star power. Ovechkin leads all players in scoring with 13 points (seven goals, six assists), the most by a player in one playoff series since Doug Weight had 13 for the St. Louis Blues against Vancouver in a 2003 first-round series. Crosby has recorded 10 points (six goals, four assists) and Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin (2-6--8) was the First Star of Game 3 and scored the overtime winner in Game 5.

Unsung heroes. Pittsburgh's Kris Letang, a game-time decision to play Game 3, went on to score the overtime winner. Washington's David Steckel, who entered Game 6 with 10 goals in 88 regular-season and playoff games this season, notched the overtime winner.

The Penguins will be making their first appearance in a Game 7 since defeating the Buffalo Sabres in a 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinal on an overtime goal by defenseman Darius Kasparaitis. The Capitals are hosting a Game 7 for a third consecutive series; they dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Philadelphia Flyers in a 2008 first-round series and defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 in opening-round play this year.

Since the NHL introduced the best-of-seven format in 1939, a total of 125 playoff series have gone to seven games and the home team has won 79 (63%).

Of the 125 series in League playoff history that have gone to seven games, 30 have been decided in overtime. In the last such contest, the Capitals dropped a 3-2 decision to the Philadelphia Flyers on a power-play goal by Joffrey Lupul at 6:06 to decide the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal on April 22, 2008. Home and road teams have split the games 15-15, although road clubs are 11-4 since 1990.

Capitals center Sergei Fedorov is expected to make his ninth career appearance in a Game 7. Fedorov has tallied six points (three goals, three assists) in his eight previous Game 7s, including the game-winning goal in the Capitals' 2-1 victory over the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final this year. The other player with a game-winning tally in a Game 7 is Penguins left wing Ruslan Fedotenko, who notched both goals for the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames in the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.

Ovechkin is playing in his third NHL playoff series and each has gone to a seventh game. Crosby will play in a Game 7 for the first time in his career.

”Gonch-ya?”

As Brian Metzer reported earlier in the day, Sergei Gonchar has indeed practiced with his team-mates.

Gonchar, who missed the end of Game 4 and both Games 5 & 6, was deemed to have a severe enough injury that he would have to miss at least 4-6 weeks. Apparently, those reports were not totally correct as the swelling on Gonchar’s knee has come down significantly enough to allow the veteran blueliner to skate in practice.

Here is the press release I found from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Injured Gonchar practices with Penguins


Tuesday, May 12, 2009
By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar joined his teammates for an optional practice at Southpointe this morning.

Coach Dan Bylsma said Gonchar's status for Game 7 of the Penguins-Capitals series tomorrow night at the Verizon Center won't be determined until after the game-day skate.
Gonchar has not played since injuring his right knee in a collision with Washington left winger Alex Ovechkin. Gonchar, who spoke to reporters today for the first time since he was injured, said he has an opinion on whether Ovechkin's hit was dirty, but he declined to share it.

The series is tied 3-3 following last night's victory by Washington at Mellon Arena.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It is still very unclear as to whether or not Gonchar will be able to play in tomorrow night’s Game 7, but his presence on the ice is enough to suggest that it is highly possible.
This is certainly good news for the Penguins, yet this must not be seen as terrible news for the Caps.

For whatever reason Gonchar feels that he can play, it will be certain that he will not be 100%.

I am quite sure that the Caps are paying attention to the health situation of the Penguins best blue liner, but for Washington to find success on home ice in Game 7, their focus will have to in beating whoever steps on the ice for the Pens, regardless of who they are.



I will be back with a Game 7 preview later tonight as well as any updates I get.



steven.hindle@hockeybuzz.com
capitalshockeybuzz@live.ca
Go Caps!!!!!

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