Caps didn't lose this one. They were beaten. We had our moments when we were alright but all in all, we were beaten. The only reason this wasn't a blow out was because of the unbelievable play of Simeon Varlamov.
Seriously, it looked like the Pens always had extra guys on the ice. They were outhustling and outplaying us. We just looked like we were not in the same gear as those guys. It's very disappointing given that we jumped out to the early lead and we had the great play from Varlamov. The scary thing is that we can't expect Varly to play that well every game so it's unfortunate that we blew this opportunity.
What was also very disappointing was how often the Pens were on the power play. I know that there may be some claims that the refs were not fair but we just have to be smarter. There may be some conspiracy theorists that think the NHL wants this series to go on so the refs were biased but again, we just need to be smarter. Even when they weren't on the power play, the Pens looked like they were. They were forechecking us like crazy. We couldn't even clear the puck. It was embarrassing. I understand that the Pens were in a desperation/must win game and they had a big crowd behind them but we missed out on a golden opportunity.
When we tied it up with 1:50 left, the crowd fell silent and I thought we might be able to rally but we didn't.
I suppose this sets up a huge game on Friday. If we win, we take a 3-1 series win and are coming back home. However, a Cap loss means that the series is tied, momentum will have shifted to the Pens, and it becomes a best of three.
5 comments:
I have some concerns about whether Varlamov can hold up as well as he did if there continues to be a Pens onslaught. It was crazy how bad it seemed to be out there.
It is not necessarily surprising that there was a bit of a letdown (it is disappointing, but I am not totally surprised). The thing I don't like is that the Caps defense in front of Varlamov looks lost - not just last night but in all three games there have been major defensive lapses that have required V to make the big save.
Caps just have to pick it up - but in particular, MIKE GREEN WHERE ARE YOU! He has been nonexistent and at times he has been terrible out on the ice with this boneheaded play.
It is strange because during the season, Mike Green was one of the more exciting Caps out there. He played hard and was a real force on the offensive end. He has looked like a completely different person out there in the playoffs.
I just don't think you can count on the young Varly to put in stellar performances like that night in and night out. It puts a lot of pressure on the kid. Again, what is more disappointing is that we got the early lead and we should have capitalized on it. We didn't and that's too bad.
It's another must win game for the Pens on Friday so I expect more of the same from them. The question is how are we going to perform.
I think the question is, IS MIKE GREEN GOING TO SHOW UP OR NOT!
Malkin picked it up in Game 3, we need our supposed second superstar to play like one also.
We need Semin to step it up as well.
I agree. I'd really like to see more aggressiveness and an effort that takes it to the Pens rather than just letting the Pens control the flow.
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