Penguin Pounding

The Eastern Conference semi-final series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals is knotted at two. Pittsburgh defender, Sergei Gonchar, was dropped to the ice on a hit by Washington’s Alex Ovechkin late in the first period. The knee-on-knee collision leaves Gonchar’s availability in doubt for the remainder of the hard fought series. The Penguins won the game 5-3 at Mellon Arena to even the series at 2-2. The series suddenly seems more challenging for Pittsburgh with their top defensive player’s status up in the air. The Penguins were able to turn their season around after the refined Gonchar returned from a 57 day stint on the IR earlier in the season. Whether or not they can win without him is a quizzical matter.
Ovechkin should probably get slapped with a penalty for the dirty hit on Gonchar. Ovie is known as a very physical hockey player and insisted after the game the hit was not intentional. Pens head coach, Dan Blysma, probably won’t fight the league for punishment on the talented Caps scorer. He will have to find a replacement for Gonchar in Game 5. Blysma will play Evgeni Malkin at the point position and simplify his team’s power play. Veteran Phillippe Boucher, will likely replace Gonchar tonight. In Gonchar’s absence, the Penguins power play struggled because he is smart with the puck. He clocks the most minutes on the ice for the team, average just under 28 minutes a game.
Pittsburgh has the momentum after beating Capitals goalie, Simeon Varlamov last night. Varlamov made only 23 saves Friday and looked gassed. He came into the series averaging 33 and was performing at an above-average level. In just his sixth NHL game, the Caps goalie had a 1.64 goals-against average. Varlamov slid back down to Earth last night as the Penguins peppered him with pucks. He failed to stop undemanding Penguin attempts to his net.
The Capitals had a 2-0 series lead that vanished faster than an Ovechkin’s slap shot. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby scored his playoffs-leading ninth goal and added an assist in Game 4. The Pens pegged goals three times in less than 12 minutes during the first period after Washington took an early one-goal lead. Gonchar was a two-way presence last night as he was not only felt on defense but scored the Penguins first goal. Sergei coasted into the Caps offensive zone for the tally. Bill Guerin scored a go-ahead goal on a Crosby rebound midway through the period. Winger, Ruslan Fedotenko put Pittsburgh up 3-1 with his 50-foot pit past the 21 year old, Varlamov, and Crosby answered back to the Capitals score with one of his own in the third period. Crosby took a arduous pass from Miroslav Satan for the easy goal. Also in the third period, Max Talbot beat the novice net minder from long distance as he raced down the left side of the ice for the fifth goal. An integral intangible is Pittsburgh’s penalty killing. No one has been as good as Talbot, who has a couple signature playoff moments in his career. He scored the tying goal during regulation in last season’s Stanley Cup Game 5 triple overtime win. This season, he helped bruise and eliminate Philadelphia in Game 6 of the previous playoff round.
Varlamov is good at steering rebounds out of scoring areas and the Capitals excel at back checking. Friday, the Penguins were quicker to discover where the rebounds were going and took more chances from the center of the net. The formula seemed to be an effective method. Center Crosby was able to bring it on and continues to show why he’s the best of the best in the game. Along with Malkin and Jordan Staal, the Pens have one fine blue line.
Rob Scuderi and Hal Gil led the way defensively for the Penguins. They frustrated and quelled the operational Ovechkin and held the star to two shots in the game. Scuderi recorded two assists. Overall, the defense blocked 12 Washington shots and clogged the passing lanes to prevent the Caps opportunities to score. The Capitals broke down on defense and allowed Pittsburgh too many second chances. Washington did not play disciplined hockey and was irresponsible and unremorseful handling the puck.
Goaltender for Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury, allowed Nicklas Backstrom to score on the game’s first shot. He had 19 saves on the night. Fleury flashed vague signs of skill, however. He was not spectacular but provided the satisfactory stoppage the Pens needed in their second consecutive win. The Caps twice came back from two-goal shortfalls with Milan Jurcina scoring a short-hander and Chris Clark sliding one past Fleury.
The teams return to Washington’s Verizon Center today for a pivotal fifth game. Washington won the first two games at home on one-goal victories. The Penguins took 36 shots on net in their 3-2 Game one loss. They were 53 percent on faceoffs but inexplicitly missed many opportunities. Washington had a ghastly 22 turnovers yet the Pens couldn’t capitalize. Both Crosby and Ovechkin were brilliant in the game. Each scored a goal in the contest. In Game 2, viewers were in awe as the two talented youngster put on a show. They tried to one-up each other in one of the more memorable NHL playoff contests so far. Both possess the rare combination of power and speed. The two best players in the world scored hat tricks for their teams, but it was Ovechkin who shined brighter. His team won the game after he lifted them with two third period goals. Crosby and Ovechkin accounted for six of the game’s seven goals. Game 3 in Pittsburgh witnessed the return of Malkin. Malkin was never a factor in the first two affairs for the Pens but regained his game in time for a home win. The 3-2 overtime victory Wednesday was a must-win for Pittsburgh and Malkin answered the call with his first goal in six games. Kris Letang hit the game winner in the extra session with 11:23 on the clock. In Game 3, Pittsburgh outshot and out-dueled Washington 42-23 and had seven power plays. Ovechkin scored his fifth of the series and eighth in the playoffs for the Caps who were in control the opening 10 minutes. The didn’t score again until late in regulation on Backstrom’s power play steal. Malkin applied pressure though, and the Penguins came away with a take-charge attitude.
It’s evident the Penguins will miss the studious Gonchar because he alleviates the run-and-gun Capital offense. I still think Crosby, the 2005 number one pick, is the most important player on the ice for Pittsburgh. Crosby leads all players with 16 post-season points. He glides craftily and has the ability to make necessary adjustments on the fly. Number 87 is an exceptional, irreplaceable passer as well. It is also unmistakable Ovechkin is the key to Washington’s success. He brings a sheer intimidator factor to the ice because he is a notch above any other player in the league. The Capitals only have 13 power plays to the Pens’ 23 this semi-final round.
The Penguins are hunting for vengeance following Ovechkin’s Friday contact and collision. Pittsburgh rallied from an 0-2 deficit in 1992 and 1996 to overcome Washington. The team has slowly emerged into a more comfortable position, having evened up the series. They hope to execute some “capital” punishment again this year.


Parting points: How about Alex Rodriguez? The first pitch he sees he sends out of Camden Yards for a three run bomb.

I was not surprised they lost, but disappointed in the Rockets. I was hoping they would take the first game at home. Game 4 is Sunday and the Rockets must win.

Sounds from my stereo- the 90210 soundtrack (lame, I know)