The Capitals lost a game they had absolutely no business losing on Thursday night at Capital One Arena.
No, it wasn’t just one game as many on their side said it was. Sorry, it just wasn’t.
It’s much more than a 1-0 series lead for the two-time, defending Stanley Cup champions. It could be a dagger blow for the Caps.
Sure, they’ve been in this spot before. Just last series. And last year, they climbed all the way out of a series against the Pens only to lose Game 7 at home.
This was more than just one loss because the Caps had a 2-0 lead early in the third period AND the Penguins played without the great Evgeni Malkin and the very pesky Carl Hagelin.
The Caps now have two-and-a-half days to think about what they did wrong during one awful stretch of the third period where they allowed all three goals, two on deflections. There was plenty of other times that Braden Holtby saved them from it being much worse.
We’ll remember Holtby’s bad clear on the go-ahead goal and Alex Ovechkin failing to prevent the cross-ice pass from along the boards to a streaking Sidney Crosby but remember this more than anything: It’s easy to say a lot of things, but it’s a lot harder to do the things you need to do.
The Caps, quite honestly, were fortunate to be in the position they were in at 1-0 and 2-0, and their good luck caught up with them. In the first round against Columbus, they were the team on the fun end of four deflection goals. Thursday night, the Penguins got those breaks or earned those opportunities.
Just like they earned a win that they shouldn’t have. That’s what champions do. They have a “resilience” as Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan put it. They have the greatest leader in the NHL, Sidney Crosby, who his head coach called the “ultimate competitor” to lead the way.
When things are down, when guys are out and when breaks are going against you, the Penguins and Crosby roll up their sleeves and kick you in the teeth.
Just like they did in Game 4 last year in Pittsburgh when Crosby was injured and the Penguins still beat the Capitals. Just like they did down 2-0 in the third period on Thursday, without their horse (Malkin) to ride and one of their other key weapons (Hagelin).
That’s what champions do. That’s what Crosby was able to do. That’s what the Caps haven’t been able to figure out yet.
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