Ann 22009 NHL Playoffs – Round 2: Malkin Shines In Penguins' 3-2 OT Win Over Capitals
May 9th 2009 05:03
Since the series opposing the Washington Capitals to the Pittsburgh Penguins started, much has been said about the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, leaving Evgeni Malkin in the shadows as usual. The season's leading goalscorer didn't really help his cause as he was pretty quiet in the series between both teams with no points to his name and performances well below his usual standards.
Although Ovechkin put the spotlight on himself once again by scoring the game's first goal on his team's first shot thanks to a lucky bounce off the boards that put Fleury way out of position, the game slowly but surely turned into the home side's favor as the Penguins forechecked the Capitals to death, effectively eliminating their devastating transition game.
After a poor start to the game – understandable, considering that the fluke goal happened in the second minute of play – the Penguins finally found their footing in the second period where they canceled Ovechkin's goal with Ruslan Fedotenko's second of the post-season. They then proceeded to stick to a strict gameplan that entailed an aggressive two-man forecheck which often led to long periods of cycling in Washington's zone and a blockage of the passing lanes in the neutral zone.
With Malkin showing impressive stickhandling skills that often served to embarrassed the Caps defenders, it was no surprise that he was at the center of numerous calls made against Washington. The Russian center was finally rewarded with a powerplay goal in the third period which gave his team a 2-1 lead. However, the Capitals struck back with a powerplay goal of their own five minutes later after a stupid penalty by Pascal Dupuis. Since both teams were still tied at the final siren, the game would go to overtime for the first time since this series began.
The Penguins' incessant pressure on the Capitals' defensemen got them a powerplay early in overtime but they simply couldn't convert. Finally, it was Kris Letang who blasted a shot from the point that deflected on a Caps defenseman before beating Varlamov for the Game 3 winner halfway through the overtime period.
The win puts Pittsburgh down 2-1 now in the series. The Capitals still have the advantage, but Dan Bylsma may have found a way to contain Washington's explosive speed. All that's left is keeping Ovechkin off the scoresheet and they'll have a chance to get even.
My 3 Stars:
3. Simeon Varlamov
2. Kris Letang
1. Evgeni Malkin
Although Ovechkin put the spotlight on himself once again by scoring the game's first goal on his team's first shot thanks to a lucky bounce off the boards that put Fleury way out of position, the game slowly but surely turned into the home side's favor as the Penguins forechecked the Capitals to death, effectively eliminating their devastating transition game.
After a poor start to the game – understandable, considering that the fluke goal happened in the second minute of play – the Penguins finally found their footing in the second period where they canceled Ovechkin's goal with Ruslan Fedotenko's second of the post-season. They then proceeded to stick to a strict gameplan that entailed an aggressive two-man forecheck which often led to long periods of cycling in Washington's zone and a blockage of the passing lanes in the neutral zone.
With Malkin showing impressive stickhandling skills that often served to embarrassed the Caps defenders, it was no surprise that he was at the center of numerous calls made against Washington. The Russian center was finally rewarded with a powerplay goal in the third period which gave his team a 2-1 lead. However, the Capitals struck back with a powerplay goal of their own five minutes later after a stupid penalty by Pascal Dupuis. Since both teams were still tied at the final siren, the game would go to overtime for the first time since this series began.
The Penguins' incessant pressure on the Capitals' defensemen got them a powerplay early in overtime but they simply couldn't convert. Finally, it was Kris Letang who blasted a shot from the point that deflected on a Caps defenseman before beating Varlamov for the Game 3 winner halfway through the overtime period.
The win puts Pittsburgh down 2-1 now in the series. The Capitals still have the advantage, but Dan Bylsma may have found a way to contain Washington's explosive speed. All that's left is keeping Ovechkin off the scoresheet and they'll have a chance to get even.
My 3 Stars:
3. Simeon Varlamov
2. Kris Letang
1. Evgeni Malkin
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