Penguins’ Crosby passes concussion test, might play Game 5

But the Capitals’ breakthrough Saturday might be a sign their luck is about to change. That said, there was reason to be wary about the chance their beloved Washington club could mount a third-period comeback. The home team ahs won every game in this series, suggesting a Game 7 could be on the horizon. They may have been favourites in the regular season, but we are the clear favourites in the postseason.

But no matter how this campaign ends, with Washington down three games to two going into Monday’s Game 6 in Pittsburgh, Kuznetsov’s play is assurance that the future of the franchise is still brimming with bird-flapping celebrations.

CROSBY BACK: Sidney Crosby played 19:10, the most among Penguins forwards, and had an assist in his return to the lineup five days after being concussed. His second assist came on Brasard’s game-tying goal with 1:26 remaining in the third period. Then quick goals by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin lead the Capitals to a three to two victory. “I told him, top players make people better”, Trotz said, noting that the Penguins moved Phil Kessel to their third line last season en route to winning the Cup.

Will the Washington Capitals stay alive when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at 7:15PM ET in Game 5 of their series? But the Penguins are going about their business in a much different way.

Vesey pulled the Rangers in front 4-3 with his first career playoff goal when he pounced on a rebound of Brady Skjei’s shot.

“Everybody who scored was one of the top guys”, Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. Even in the loss, the Penguins showed they are an opportunistic team that rarely panics in the tightest spots. The Capitals again dressed seven defensemen. Holtby now has a 6-5 record with a 2.54 goals-against-average and a.909 save percentage this postseason. May. Backstrom’s goal did not just wake the team, it also sparked the crowd. In the third period, he came through with a much-needed insurance goal. His 36-save output Wednesday was enough to nail down a victory, despite the concussion-related absences of all-world pivot Sidney Crosby and burgeoning winger Conor Sheary.

HollywoodLifers, who are you rooting for in this series, the Penguins or the Capitals? “We knew in the big games you have to play hard”.

“I think, having gone through this, I’d like to think I’m pretty aware of my body at this point“.

Spreading out the scoring talent over three lines, concentrating on quality chances over simple shot volume and wearing down defensemen with better puck pursuit each came up among the Capitals in the wake of their win.

While Fleury struggled for the first time against the Capitals, Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby had his best game of the series, stopping 20 shots. That tied the game 2-2 and then Pyatt gave Ottawa their first lead when he redirected Zack Smith’s no-look shot on goal from near the sideboards. If Fleury has sprung a leak, the Capitals have the talent from Ovechkin down to make him pay. That Crosby was even on skates this week, never mind back in a playoff tilt, seemed the farthest thing from caution. “I don’t think that’s a demotion, I think that’s making our team better”. However, if there’s a team that’s capable of doing so and one who has proven through five-straight games that they can dictate play against the mighty Penguins, it’s these Capitals.