The Penguins were in a stretch of the season where their offense was struggling, their special teams was inconsistent, and their defense showed lapses.
Against Washington, they looked to be back on track.
The Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the Washington Capitals Wednesday night at the Verizon Center, winning 4-0 against their Metropolitan foes.
Alex Ovechkin’s closest chance came early in the first period when he kicked a cross-ice pass to his stick and fired the puck off the far post. From there, the Penguins shut down the “Great 8” along with the rest of the Capitals in what was their best defensive effort of the season.
Paul Martin broke a scoreless tie with his second goal of the season. Martin received a pass from down low by Sidney Crosby and blasted the puck from the right point past Braden Holtby’s left shoulder.
Beau Bennett added his first of the season with just over eight minutes remaining in the opening frame. Bennett took a pass from Evgeni Malkin at the blue line and beat Holtby with a nice wrister, far side.
The second period looked more like a track meet, but one the Penguins were winning, out shooting the Capitals 15-8 in the period.
While on the power play, the Penguins went tic-tac-toe and found Crosby who buried the shot from a sharp angle shot. Malkin went to Kunitz in the slot, who went down low to Neal, who went cross-ice to Crosby.
Neal added his second goal of the season in the third period scoring off the rush by blistering a wrist shot over Holtby’s head and into the net.
By all accounts, this was a complete game for the Penguins, and a statement win if those actually exist during November. The Penguins regained the division lead from Washington with a win against Washington’s former coach Bruce Boudreau – now in Anaheim- and added a three point cushion with a win Wednesday night.
- After registering three shots in the first period against Anaheim on Monday, the Penguins have 64 shots in their last five periods.
- Sidney Crosby has 45 career points (15 g, 30 a) in 26 career games against the Capitals.
- Marc-Andre Fleury posted his second shutout of the season.
Three Stars
- Sidney Crosby
- Paul Martin
- Marc-Andre Fleury
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
