Today the Penguins fight

PPG Paints Arena / MF

By: MF, 

PPG Paints Arena / MF

Well, here we sit, facing elimination. The Pittsburgh Penguins are not new to this type of situation. They have seen a few times before and all the numbers that I have looked at are in the Penguins favor. However, this is the playoffs and stats aren't something to stake your claim on.

More good news to add to the Penguins side is that Nicklas Backstrom will be out of the lineup for the Capitals due to an upper-body injury he sustained in Game Five.

The Penguins will have to come out and play their best hockey. This is a do or die situation and Pittsburgh isn't a city that gives up. The Penguins have had a wonderful two seasons, but that doesn't mean that things end here. No. Not today. Today the Penguins fight! Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Simon
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Rust - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Brassard - Sheary

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Oleksiak - Schultz
Maatta -  Ruhwedel

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 1 Capitals 2 OT

Overtime
The Capitals win the game and take the series 4-2. I am beyond proud of this team and we all have been spoiled for the past two years. Next year we go on the hunt for another Stanley Cup and build the dream again. Thank you for a great season Pens.

14:33 - Kuznetsov scores. A bad pinch by the Pens leads the Capitals down the ice on a rush. Kuznetsov beats Murray. 2-1 Capitals

15:33 - Murray denies Oshie after the Pens had a bad line change.

17:06 - Kuhnhackl fires one off the goal post.

17:41 - Sheahan starts this overtime with some great energy. On a personal note, I am freaking out. 

20:00 - Time for some overtime hockey! The Pens need to pressure early and hard. It's do or die. Lets Go Pens!


3rd Period
0:00 - With things still tied 1-1, this game is headed to overtime.

0:05 - Murray with a huge save at the end. Sorry, I haven't been typing much. This is a stressful game. 

2:20 - Finally some offensive pressure by the Pens. Nothing comes of it, but good pressure.

3:19 - Not a whole bunch to update on. Both teams are playing very defensively, not much offensive pressure.

8:32 - Murray has been outstanding since allowing that first goal. Just great goaltending.

12:50 - Capitals have a two-on-one chance, but Letang gets back to break things up.

14:09 - Pretty much non-stop hockey right now. Things are tight.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! Now is the time to ramp things up Pens. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and this game is tied 1-1.

0:04 - Malkin spins around and gets the puck to the front of the net. Schultz gets a shot off and Holtby just gets a shoulder to deny him.

1:36 - Evgeny Kuznetsov stick handles at the side of the net, but doesn't get one past Murray.

3:14 - More line changes for the Pens.

5:26 - A great chance for the Pens in front, but the puck just goes over the net.

8:08 - LETANG SCORES! A set faceoff in the offensive zone. They win and get the puck back to Letang at the point. He fires a rocket that goes off the stick of Chandler Stephenson past Holtby. 1-1 tie game.

8:14 - Sullivan has decided to change up the lines and see if that gives the team energy.

10:29 - Oleksiak's stick breaks at the blue line and gives the Capitals a four-on-two chance. Murry makes the save and dives out for the rebound.

12:24 - The Pens are a team that needs a spark and soon. Who will do it for them?

13:47 - Murray denies Jakub Vrana with a pad save.

17:01 - Not a good goal to allow by Murray. Soft.

17:47 - Alex Chiasson scores. Nathan Walker comes flying around the back of the net and outlets a pass to Chiasson. He shoots one short side and beats Murray. 1-0 Capitals

19:11 - Schultz's shot is turned away by the pad of Holtby. The Capitals clear the rebound.

20:00 - It's time for the second period! The Pens have to come out with energy and put the pressure on Holtby. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00 - The first period comes to an end. 0-0.

2:08 - Hornqvist with a chance in front. The Pens showing some energy.

3:55 - Solid shift for the third line of the Pens.

5:11 - The Pens have looked flat in this period. They more energy as a whole.

6:35 - That does it for the power play.

8:35 - Now the Pens get a chance on the power play. Michal Kempny will head to the box for tripping.

9:33 -  I have thought this for a few games now. Not sure I understand the reason for Simon on the top line. Doesn't seem to be working.

12:08 - Hornqvist just had a great shift. He was working hard to get the puck and disrupt the Capitals in their own zone.

13:49 - That is a successful penalty kill.

14:45 - In the slot, T.J. Oshie fires high-glove and ends up hitting the goal post.

15:49 - Not a good penalty to take. Maatta is called for high-sticking. This is a critical penalty kill.

18:11 - Sheahan forces a turnover at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone. He gets the puck to Kessel who is all alone in front of the net. Holtby poke checks him and is able to cover for a whistle.

18:55 - Malkin fires a shot wide.

20:00 - Game Six is officially underway! Don't let things end here Pens! Go get the win! Lets Go Pens!

The series lead is up for grabs

By: MF, 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in Washington to take on the Capitals and gain a 3-2 series lead.

Nothing to update you on for Game Five. The Penguins need to get the job done.

The Penguins have to come out ready to play and need to put the pressure on from the start. They cannot afford to have a slow start in this one. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Simon
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Rust - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Brassard - Sheary

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Oleksiak -  Ruhwedel

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 3 Capitals 6

3rd Period
0:00 - The Capitals take Game Five 6-3 and the 3-2 series lead. The Pens have to win the next two. Everything is on the line now.

0:05 - Lars Eller scores an empty-netter. Eller gets the puck and goes up the ice. He easily puts it in the open net. 6-3 Capitals

1:31 - T.J. Oshie scores an empty-netter. Kessel gives up the puck at the blue line and Oshie puts it in the empty net. 5-3 Capitals

1:46 - Empty net for the Pens.

4:38 - Jakub Vrana scores. Ovechkin has speed down the wing and makes a backward pass to Vrana. Vrana is left open to put in the loose puck. 4-3 Capitals

4:45 - Holtby robs Dumoulin.

8:30 - Nicklas Backstrom is missing from the Capitals bench. Also, Simon blocks a shot with his hand and he is in some discomfort on the bench.

9:42 - Murray shoulders away a high puck.

14:09 - More whistles in this period unlike the first two.

16:44 - Chances for both teams. The story of this game.

19:08 - Evgeny Kuznetsov scores. A terrible line change for the Pens as Kuznetsov gets a breakaway. Kuznetsov beats Murray five-hole. 3-3 tie game.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens have to keep up the pressure and play smart. Finish this game with a win. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Pens now have the 3-2 lead.

0:38 - A successful penalty kill for the Pens. Hagelin is having a great game.

1:21 - 43-second power play now for the Capitals.

2:38 - So much for that power play. Crosby now goes to the box for hooking. Four-on-four hockey for 1:17.

3:21 - Smith-Pelly will head back to the box for tripping. A huge power play chance for the Pens.

5:29 - Holtby has been big for the Capitals. He has kept them in this one.

8:38 - The Pens need to remain focused. No time to sit back.

12:15 - HORNQVIST SCORES! Kessel finds Hornqvist in front, who directs the puck on net. Holtby makes the first save, but the puck is loose in the blue paint. Malkin hammers at the loose puck and Hornqvist joins in. He puts the loose puck into the net. 3-2 Pens

13:03 - Now the Pens get a power play chance. Devante Smith-Pelly is called for tripping.

13:05 - Up and down hockey. The Capitals get a scoring chance and the Pens end up with two. Holtby stands strong.

13:50 - The Pens seemed to be called for too many men on the ice. The referees get together to discuss and there will be no penalty. The video shows that it wasn't a penalty.

15:17 - CROSBY SCORES! Kessel snaps a shot from the half circle and the puck deflects off Crosby's hand past Holtby. 2-2 tie game.

15:36 - Hagelin is denied by Holtby right in front. Ovechkin takes a slashing penalty as he ends up breaking Malkin's stick in the process. A power play chance for the Pens.

18:01 - Power play time expires.

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens have almost a full power play to start this period, minus 1.2 seconds. Get one here and push forward! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00 - The first period comes to an end and the Capitals have the 2-1 lead.

0:01 - A very late penalty. Ovechkin is called for slashing. Pens get a power play chance.

1:05 - Brett Connolly scores. The Pens lose the battle on the boards and Connolly fires a shot through the five-hole of Murray. Bad goal to give up there. 2-1 Capitals

1:38 - John Carlson scores on the power play. Carlson fires a high-glove side shot from the point and beats Murray. 1-1 tie game.

2:49 - Simon takes a tripping penalty and the Pens bring out their penalty killers. Not a good penalty to take.

3:38 - Very fast paced game. Holtby has stepped up for the Capitals. Murray has also been outstanding.

7:56 - A successful penalty kill. The Pens held the Capitals to a single shot on that one. Kuhnhackl even had a great shorthanded scoring chance.

9:56 - Now the Pens will have to kill off a penalty. Ruhwedel is called for hooking.

10:45 - Penalty time is up. That power play looked good. Both units.

12:45 - Power play time for the Pens as Matt Niskanen is ticketed for holding.

16:23 - The Capitals come back with pressure, but Murray shuts them down.

17:37 - OLEKSIAK SCORES! Oleksiak has traffic in front of Holtby and fires a hard shot from the blue line. His shot blows past the blocker side of Holtby. 1-0 Pens

18:11 - Sheahan is robbed by Braden Holtby in front. The puck was loose, but the Pens were unable to get a stick on it.

18:52 - Murray denies a wide-open Alex Ovechkin. Great save!

20:00 - The puck has dropped for Game Five! The Pens need to come out with energy and speed. Lets Go Pens!

Time to tie things up

By: MF, 

Tonight's an important game for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they look to tie this series 2-2 in Game Four.

The Penguins suffered some setbacks in Game Three, which included Zach Aston-Reese receiving a hard hit to the head courtesy of Tom Wilson. It resulted in Aston-Reese being diagnosed with a concussion and broken jaw. It was another blow to the Penguins, especially after Wilson had laid a similar head hit on Brian Dumoulin in Game Two. However, this time the league took action and suspended Wilson for three games.

This is a great chance for the Penguins to come back and win this series in three games. The Washington Capitals have really relied on Wilson throughout this series, so it's a big blow for them.

Some more good news for the Penguins is that Carl Hagelin will be back in the lineup tonight. His speed will help to push the Capitals back in their zone. He is a critical piece of the team's offense.

The Penguins have to use the crowd's energy and their speed to put the Capitals on their heels. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Hornqvist
Simon - Malkin - Rust
Hagelin - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Brassard - Sheary

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Oleksiak -  Ruhwedel

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
PENS 3 Capitals 1

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS TAKE GAME FOUR WITH A 3-1 WIN! Now the series is tied up 2-2 as the series shifts back to Washington! Great goaltending by Murray once again!

0:56 - Meanwhile, Oshie leaves his feet to make a hit on Letang. Letang has words with Oshie and the two end up dropping the gloves.

0:56 - GUETNZEL SCORES AN EMPTY NETTER/POWER PLAY GOAL! Crosby gets the puck and stops up to fake out Ovechkin. He gets loose and puts a pass up to Guentzel, who puts it in the empty net. 3-1 Pens

1:11 - Capitals are caught with too many men on the ice. Power play for the Pens.

1:20 - Empty net for the Capitals.

3:53 - Not stop play for quite a few minutes. Up and down hockey. Crosby finds Guentzel driving to the net. Holtby robs him in front.

6:12 - The Capitals are bringing it as the clock whines down. The Pens need to push back. They cannot afford to sit back.

10:01 - Hornqvist is hit on the play and goes down the ice. He does get back up and takes a puck away from a Capital.

15:22 - Crosby feeds the puck out to Guentzel, who is stationed in front of the net. Holtby makes the stop and everyone crashes the net for the loose puck. Holtby ends up covering it up for a whistle.

20:00 - Time for the third period! The Pens cannot let up on the Capitals. Finish this one with a win. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The second-period horn sounds and the Pens end the period leading 2-1.

2:29 - MALKIN SCORES! A mad scramble ensues in front of the net as the puck bounces off the goal post and sits on the goal line. Holtby is down on his stomach and tries to reach back. Malkin dives out and pokes at the loose puck. The referees review to see if it crossed the line. They rule it a goal. In addition, the Capitals challenge for goalie interference. It's officially ruled a good goal! 2-1 Pens

3:43 - Now the Pens are on the power play for 1:53.

3:50 - Seven seconds of four-on-four as Oshie is called for interference.

5:43 - Another Guentzel penalty. This time he will take a seat for slashing. Ovechkin and Letang end up exchanging words and Ovechkin gets away with a punch to Letang's face.

7:05 - T.J. Oshie scores on the power play. Nicklas Backstrom gets a pass through to Oshie in the slot area. Oshie beats Murray high-glove side. 1-1 tie game.

8:09 - Critical penalty kill for the Pens as Guentzel is called for tripping.

10:39 - GUENTZEL SCORES! Crosby slides a backhanded pass over to Simon in the slot area. His shot bounces off the leg of Matt Niskanen and Guentzel picks up the loose puck. He elevates the puck over Holtby. 1-0 Pens

11:32 - Sheary with a terrible turnover. He made a blind pass up the center of the ice in his own zone. Murray bails him out.

14:30 - Power play time expires for the Pens.

14:50 - Two-on-one chance for the Capitals shorthanded. Jay Beagle's shot goes high and wide. FYI: My internet went out right when the Pens went on the penalty kill, so I missed some stuff that happened in between. Both teams had amazing scoring chances is what I have gathered. 

16:30 - Power play time for the Pens. Chandler Stephenson is called for slashing.

17:23 - The penalty killing effort is successful.

19:23 - Murray makes a save on a point shot that hits him around the collarbone area. He goes down in pain and the trainer comes out to talk to him. Murray stays on the ice. Also, Malkin gets a slashing penalty and the Capitals head onto the power play.

20:00 - We are back for the second period! The Pens just need to put traffic in front of Holtby and keep at it. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00 - The first period comes to an end and things are 0-0.

2:10 - Holtby has stepped up for the Capitals. The Pens need to get more traffic in front and create rebound chances.

5:13 - Kessel fires a shot high over the net. Some good offensive pressure by the third and fourth lines of the Pens.

7:20 - Murray is locked into this game. Capitals haven't had a lot of shots, but when they do get a shot on net, it's a quality scoring chance.

11:21 - Schultz blocks a shot and is in some discomfort as he heads to the bench. He stays on the bench though.

12:36 - A really good start for the Pens. Crosby carries the puck up ice and a two-on-one chance develops, but he is unable to get a shot off.

15:11 - Murray with a great save on a deflected shot and he covers up the loose puck.

16:50 - That does it for the power play. Hornqvist had a great chance to put home a rebound, but Holtby denies him.

18:50 - Solid early pressure by the Pens leads to the first power play chance of the game. John Carlson is called for hooking.

20:00 - The puck has dropped in Pittsburgh! The Pens need to use the crowd's energy and their speed to pressure the Capitals early. Lets Go Pens!

Number 71 is back in Pittsburgh

PPG Paints Arena / MF

By: MF, 

The series has shifted to Pittsburgh with things tied 1-1 between the Penguins and Washington Capitals.

There is some great news, which could turn the tide in the Penguins favor. Brian Dumoulin is set to go for tonight after taking a shoulder to the head in Game Two from Tom Wilson. He was out for the rest of Game Two, but it ready to go for tonight's game. He is a huge piece of the Penguins defense.

In addition, the big man, number 71 is back in the lineup after missing the first two games of this series. Evgeni Malkin brings so much to the Penguins lineup and will allow them to utilize different looks and weapons. It will also make the Capitals have to decide on who their top defensive pairing unit should play against. Malkin or Crosby. Either way, someone is left open.

Tonight, the Penguins have to get a better start and put the pressure on the Capitals. Their starts have left a lot to be desired and that has to change. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Guentzel - Crosby - Hornqvist
Simon - Malkin - Rust
Aston-Reese - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhnhackl - Brassard - Sheary

Defense
Dumoulin - Letang
Maatta - Schultz
Oleksiak -  Ruhwedel

Murray in the net!

Play - by - Play
Pens 3 Capitals 4

3rd Period
0:00 - That does it. The Capitals get the 4-3 and take a 2-1 series lead.

0:40 - Pens empty their net for an extra attacker.

1:07 - Ovechkin scores. Maatta turns over the puck at the far blue line, which leads the Capitals down the ice on a rush. Ovechkin's first shot goes off the post, but he bats in the rebound. 4-3 Capitals

1:34 - Some solid pressure by the Pens.

4:37 - Odd man rush for the Capitals after a bad pinch in by Letang. Murray comes up big. Things are getting tighter out there.

6:05 - Great work by Ruhwedel to break up a two-on-one chance for the Capitals. An awesome shift for him.

9:51 - Dumoulin puts a shot wide. That would have blown the roof off this place.

14:54 - Niskanen scores. Niskanen has a clear shot from the point to the goal. Murray gets a piece of the shot with his glove, but not all of it. 3-3 tie game.

17:14 - Malkin fires a shot off the goal post!

19:02 - The penalty kill is good for the Pens.

20:00 - We are back for the third period! The Pens need to kill off this 58-second Capitals power play and get back to pressuring the Capitals. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - The horn sounds to end the second period and the Pens hold the 3-2 lead.

1:02 - Too many men on the ice for the Pens and the Capitals get a power play chance. A critical penalty kill.

2:05 - Four-on-four play comes to an end.

3:33 - CROSBY SCORES! Crosby lets go of a bullet pass over to Guentzel who stickhandles this way around Dmitry Orlov to the front of the net. He makes a pass over to Crosby, right in his wheelhouse. Crosby's rocket shot blows past an outstretched Holtby. 3-2 Pens

4:05 - Four-on-four hockey time as Michal Kempny sits for hooking and Kuhnhackl for holding the stick.

4:45 - That does it for the power play. Malkin had a great chance, but Matt Niskanen ended up batting away the puck before it could cross the line.

6:45 - Tempers flare on the ice. Ovechkin, Wilson, and Oleksiak all head to the box. Ovechkin and Oleksiak get cross-checking minors. Wilson gets unsportsmanlike conduct. As a result, the Pens head onto the power play.

8:56 - Chandler Stephenson scores. A bad turnover by Oleksiak that leads to a Stephenson getting the puck in front. He beats Murray. 2-2 tie game.

10:09 - Tom Wilson takes out Aston-Reese and leaves his feet in the process. Looks like the head was the main contact point. Aston-Reese goes right to the locker room and is bleeding. No call.

13:11 - HORNQVIST SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Malkin walks down low to the side of the net. Malkin backhands the puck over to Hornqvist who puts it over Holtby. 2-1 Pens

14:24 - Power play time for the Pens. Brooks Orpik heads to the box for hooking.

15:26 - GUENTZEL SCORES! Schultz with great stick handling work to keep the puck along the blue line. He fires a point shot that is tipped in front by Guentzel and goes under the glove of Holtby. 1-1 tie game.

16:01 - Sheary hits the side of the net with his shot.

19:12 - John Carlson scores on the power play. Carlson fires a hard shot from the point that goes off the stick of Rust and past the blocker shoulder of Murray. 1-0 Capitals

20:00 - The second period is underway! The Pens have to kill off a Capitals power play for 50 seconds to start. Get the kill and move on. Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00 - The first period comes to an end and things are 0-0.

1:10 - Dang it! Penalty troubles will come back to haunt the Pens. Malkin takes a tripping penalty and the Capitals head right back onto the power play.

1:30 - Another solid penalty kill for the Pens. They held the Capitals to zero shots.

3:30 - A terrible penalty for Letang to take. He takes a seat for interference and the Capitals get a power play.

3:32 - Letang's stick breaks at the blue line and that gives Ovechkin a breakaway chance. Ruhwedel skates his heart out to get back and disrupt Ovechkin. Murray also helps with a poke check and kicks the loose puck out of the way.

4:56 - Wow! The Pens get really lucky. Lars Eller fires a hard shot from the wing that Murray gets a piece of it, but it trickles through the blue paint and just past the goal post. Way too close.

5:45 - Holtby has kept the Pens at bay, so far this period.

8:57 - Hornqvist gets the puck while driving down the center of the ice. His shot just goes wide!

10:13 - Power play time expires. Holtby with two big saves at the end of that Pens' power play chance.

11:04 - The power play looks much better. Having Malkin as a weapon on it makes a big difference.

12:13 - Back on the power play for the Pens. T.J. Oshie will head to the box for holding.

13:21 - That does it for that power play. The Pens did a great job on the penalty kill. Murray came up big and Rust did a fantastic job of blocking shots.

14:04 - Capitals will now have a power play for about 42 seconds.

15:21 - Now four-on-four will be played as Hornqvist is called for tripping. A much better-looking power play for the Pens. They weren't afraid to shoot the puck.

16:04 - The first power play of the game goes to the Pens as Brett Connolly sits for tripping.

16:23 - Shots are 2-0 in favor of the Pens.

20:00 - Game time! The Pens need to utilize the energy of the crowd and take things to the Capitals. Get things started right! Lets Go Pens!