Pens Rout Caps in Highly-Anticipated Game 7

Out of all the possible headlines following Game 7, “Varlamov yanked after allowing 4 Goals” was probably not very high on that list.  Yet Simeon Varlamov– the star rookie who saved the Capitals’ season in Round 1 and played brilliant in Round 2– lasted just 22:13, and was replaced by former starter, Jose Theodore.

Photo by Melissa Allen

Alex Ovechkin scored again, but for the majority of the game, he went unnoticed.  Marc-Andre Fleury’s save on Ovechkin in the opening minutes was his only real scoring chance.  Ovechkin jumped on the breakaway but Fleury was able to glove Ovechkin’s shot after a few nifty dekes.  Had the puck squeaked past Fleury, this game could have been much, much different.

But Fleury DID make the save, and it did not take the Penguins long to take control of the game on enemy ice.  Sidney Crosby (who else?) corralled a rebound and put the Pens ahead on the power play 12:36 into the first period.  It took just eight seconds for Craig Adams to slip Pittsbugh’s second goal through the pads of a surprised Varlamov.  The Penguins dominated the first period, out-shooting Washington 16 to five and forcing plenty of Capitals’ mis-cues.

The fate of the Washington Capitals may have been up in the air going into the second period, but that all changed within seconds of the puck dropping.  Veteran Bill Guerin (who was rumored to be traded to Washington, before eventually being dealt to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline) scored 28 seconds into the period when Crosby delayed on a 2-on-1 advantage and found the late man Guerin, who had time to unload a slap shot that beat Varlamov over his shoulder.

The final shot the young netminder would face came off the blade of Game 3 hero, Kris Letang.  Evgeni Malkin found Letang wide open on a cross-ice pass and Letang was given enough space by Shaone Morrisonn to wind up and fire a slap shot that flew by Varlamov’s shoulder and into the back of the net.  Boudreau had enough, and gave the nod to the goalie (Theodore) who just may have lost his ‘starting goalie’ tag for 2009-2010 season in the past month.

It was no use, Pittsburgh out-played Washington the whole game, and the better team won.  The teams traded goals with Jordan Staal re-directing a pass from on top of the crease and Ovechkin scoring on a Fleury blunder, but it just wasn’t meant to be for this year’s Capitals team.  After another Crosby goal, Brooks Laich gave Washington a glimmer of hope when he poked a rebound past Fleury, but it was too little, too late.

The series lived up to all expectations, and hopefully we will see Crosby versus Ovechkin Part 2 next season.  But for now, it’s Crosby 1, Ovechkin 0.

Here are some more thoughts on the Penguins 6-2 victory:

• No penalties were called against the Penguins.  While there were no blatant instances when a penalty should have been called, zero penalties is a rarity in the post-lockout NHL.
• Pittsburgh went 2-4 on their power play.  Both goals were scored by Crosby.
• Morrisonn was on the ice for three of the four Penguins’ even-strength goals.
• Nicklas Backstrom (0 points, 20:28 TOI) finished with three goals, 12 assists, and 15 points in the playoffs.  The Caps were 0-3 in the three games in which he did not register a point.
• Washington out-shot Pittsburgh in four of the 24 periods played (overtime included).
• Mike Green was on the ice for 13:52, half as long as a usual outing.  Boudreau told reporters after the game that he would go into details regarding injuries on Friday.  Green may have been playing with a bum shoulder, an injury he sustained in Anaheim in late November.
• Tom Poti was playing with a broken foot.  Green, Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin were all mentioned in the abbreviated injury report.
• Sergei Fedorov might have played his last game in the NHL.  Hats off, Feds.

Good luck to the Pittsburgh Penguins who will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight year.

From a Capitals point-of-view, report cards will be coming out soon for every player and notable prospects.  The draft is right around the corner and then rookie camp and training camp will come sooner than you think.  In the meantime, enjoy some great hockey both tomorrow (two Game 7′s) and in the future…