In anticipation of the 700th goal of Alexander Ovechkin, almost everyone agreed that as soon as this goal is scored, he will let go of the Russian striker – the tension will subside and the abandoned goals will be given to him much easier. The very first minutes of Sunday’s match between Washington and Pittsburgh showed that after the long-awaited captain’s jubilee that happened on Saturday, he released all the other Capitals players. It was already not the “Washington” that lost 6 of its last 7 meetings, this “Washington” had a place in the playoffs, not in the ordinary game of the regular season, in terms of concentration, rigidity and ruthlessness. However, it all started sweetly, with congratulations for Ovechkin from the main competitor in his career – Sidney Crosby.
In the first period, three main events can be distinguished. Jakub Vrana sharply cut the corner on the way to the Penguins goal and, with the help of defender Marcus Pettersson, nevertheless delivered the puck over the line.
Alexander Ovechkin received his portion of applause from the Capital One Arena – a full-fledged celebration of the 700th goal is scheduled for Tuesday, when the Stolichnye will receive Winnipeg.
Well, Eugene Malkin had a fight with the newcomer owners Brendan Dillon. He fought and, in fairness, lost. Lost outright.
The second twenty minute for the time being greatly inferior to the first in saturation. Malkin had a good chance, Michal Kempney threw the post, but there were noticeably fewer bright events. Everything changed in the end. Patrick Hernqvist took the throw of Chris Lethang and finished off the puck from the nickle.
And after 26 seconds, Sidney Crosby with the help of TJ Oshi cosplayed the goal of Vrana from the first period. Next came Ovechkin’s removal and if Pittsburgh had scored in the majority, this segment could be safely called one of the worst for Washington in the season.
After 40 minutes, statistics attracted attention – Alexander Ovechkin spent two periods in vain. It seemed that if the captain did not turn on, it would be very difficult for Washington to beat these Penguins.
Ovi’s colleagues did not agree with this point of view and showed what they were capable of in just 5 minutes. Tom Wilson, having escaped to an individual meeting with Matt Murray, decided the episode to match the top NHL snipers.
And Karl Hagelin, in the traditions that are classic for the forward of the fourth link, buried the puck into the goal from the nickle. “Capital” can do something without its main star.
But this match still had little fire. Malkin replied to the Washington doublet with a real masterpiece. The Russian giant turned into a clown one of the heroes of the season John Carlson and without any problems figured out Holtby. Such beauty was bound to add courage to the “Pittsburgh”, but TJ Oshi, who came up with another worker-peasant goal, quickly extinguished it.
The hosts eventually won 5: 3, but the score in this match, of course, is secondary. “Washington” and “Pittsburgh” answered all skeptics who admitted the idea that in their current form, these clubs are not worthy of a place in the playoffs. The possible confrontation between the Capitals and the Penguins is the best that can happen with the upcoming Stanley Cup. Today it has become apparent even without Ovechkin’s goals.
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