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Oshie and Holtby beat the Pens |
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Unlike the first time the two Metro Division opponents met where the teams combined for 13 goals, the Caps and Pens scored only three goals in a 2-1 Capitals win Wednesday night. It marks the first time this season the Capitals have won two games in a row and the loss now has the Penguins losers in five straight. The Caps now have a 3-2 point advantage vs Pittsburgh heads up.
During warm-ups Alex Ovechkin had some fun with his Russian counterpart Evgeni Malkin. The NHL needs more personality in the league and Ovi is always front and center in that regard. Malkin's reaction was classic.
Braden Holtby looked like he was in Vezina trophy form again stopping 41 of 42 shots to record his 5th win of the season. The Capitals needed him to be at his best as you could argue the Pens could have won this game had he not been spectacular including a game saving breakaway in the 3rd period. In the 2nd period the Caps had 3 power plays but conceded scoring chances to Pittsburgh 12-6.
Sidney Crosby scored his 7th goal on the power play at 12:16 of the 1st to give the Pens the only lead they would have. The Capitals power play cashed in to make it 1-1 midway through the 2nd as Alex Ovechkin buried a one-timer from his office on a beautiful no-look pass by John Carlson. Nicklas Backstrom was honored before the game for his 600 assists and he responded with an assist on the Ovechkin PP marker as well.
TJ Oshie is a machine. He had a rough night as he was high-sticked in the 1st period and left the game for repairs near his right eye only to return for the 2nd period. It was a scary incident as a stick caught him under the visor off a faceoff. There was no penalty on the play much to the dismay of the Capitals bench. Then in the 3rd Evgeni Malkin caught Oshie up high in the head with a hit from his shoulder. Oshie was down and left the game a second time. Malkin was given a 5 minute major and ejected from the game. The NHL will not hand out supplementary discipline on the play.
The energetic winger then returned to the game to score his 8th goal of the year with 1:14 left on the clock to seal the 2-1 win for the Caps in a memorable night for 77.
Coach Todd Reirden has to be happy with the Holtby performance but with many great scoring chances given up he will still be looking for consistency in team defense.
The Caps will try for three wins in a row on Friday night at 7PM EST as they host last year’s first round playoff opponent Columbus Blue Jackets.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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