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The Washington Capitals have once again established dominance in the regular season. Congratulations, enjoy Miami in May.

The inevitable Alex Ovechkin point to reach 1000 for his career. 35 seconds into the game the Capitals get the puck in the Pens zone and go the other way. Ovechkin starts on the outside with the puck and almost effortlessly works his way in to a prime scoring area as Letang was most likely thinking about how he forgot to get his kid out of the car or something. A well deserved standing ovation was given to Ovechkin afterwards, one of the most prolific goal scorers to ever play the game, the talent we’ve been subjected to over the last decade is just unreal.

The following 19:25 of the period are up and down, but nothing else went in. Caps 1-0.

The second started the way the majority of the first went until the Capitals got a powerplay. After some smooth passing Ovechkin was found in literally the same spot he is always in, and Letang looked like he was trying to play “Where’s Waldo.” The shot Ovechkin released most likely ends Fleury’s life if it hits him in the head. A great Bonino pass sprung Kessel, but he wasn’t able to capitalize. Kessel with the “you’re dead to me” look at the 2:03 part of the highlight video is going to be a gif. Again only an Ovechkin goal so the period ends Caps 2-0.

Despite their uncanny ability to come back from 2 goal deficits, the Penguins historically have struggled in doing so against Washington. The next goal was obviously going to be huge and it came from the stick of Justin Williams after Olesky belly-flopped to the ice. Kuznetsov went around the net and then threw a sneaky pass the opposite direction to give Williams a tap in goal. Maatta was waiting for Kuznetsov at the opposite post, or something. 3-0 in the third, plan the parade.

The Penguins got the ball rolling on a powerplay later on, when the non-All Star Justin Shultz picked up his 19^th assist of the season by feeding a one-timer to Evgeni Malkin (17), who buried it. Kessel with the other assist (27).

5 or so minutes later the Caps were on the powerplay and for some fucking reason Ian Cole was on the ice. Capitals powerplay + Ian Cole = Goal. Captain America TJ Oshie basically fell asleep with the puck waiting for Backstrom to get in place, and it was a simple tap in behind Fleury.

A few minutes later the Penguins were on the powerplay again, and again they cashed in as Sidney Crosby picked up his 19^th assist feeding a pass to the crease for Hornqvist’s 10^th of the season. NBCSN looovvvveeedddd Crosby’s pass, but watch the video, get out the lube and enjoy Kessel’s 28^th assist of the season to Crosby. What a great pass.

Lars Eller would then shoot a puck that bounced off Letang’s head and into the empty net, perfectly summing up the night for the Pens.

GAME

Thoughts:

• 4 of the 6 goals (not counting the EN) were scored on the powerplay by these two powerhouse teams
• The Penguins looked like a team that had played 1 game in 10 days
• Once the Pens get back into motion there isn’t a team in the East (and most likely the league) that can hang with either of these two
• 4 goals given up by Fleury, but you would be stretching it to say Murray does much better in this one. Honestly when both teams are healthy I don’t think these two goalies should look at their GAAs for the game
• Losing to the caps sucks, but losing in the regular season is just that, 2 points.

ANDDDDD NOW WE TRAVEL NORTH OF THE BORDER…

Gameday forty-fucking-one. Halfway done already, damn how it flies. And tonight we get to meet some old friends over at SensChirp,  you can visit their blog at

www.senschirpbutnotreallychirpmorelikespeaknicelyonlywithnomomjokesbadwordsgifsfunorlifebecausethatswhatwelike.com/chrisneilplayed1000gamesandisahero

The last time these two teams met there were 13 goals scored, and tonight I feel the same thing happening and here is why: it is the second game of a back-to-back on the road following a loss to a rival and I really think Sullivan tells the offense to go wide open tonight. Letting the team loosen up and just play tonight would be a great tactic in my opinion, and I truly think we see it tonight.

The condom in the crease, an instant Disney Classic. Matt Murray was cleared for yesterday’s game while Fleury got the nod so that means tonight:

The Penguins don’t have any spare forwards right now since Kuhnhackl is still mysteriously injured **coughconspiracy keeping Kuhnhackl from being expansion eligible coughhh**so the forwards will most likely be the same. Sullivan went with Olesky last night so Ruhwedel may get a crack at it tonight, and should in my opinion after a shaky game from the oilsky last night. Also, since when is Hoffman on the Sens third line? I always forget Phaneuf is still alive, I tend to lump him in with Pronger in my head, and to be fair they are both equally effective at this stage for their respective teams.

Will never get old.

Unfortunately for Ottawa, the site of Phaneuf will get old since they are paying him SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS THROUGH 2021. To wrap your head around that, the Senators will be paying Phaneuf during the next presidential election.

The Penguins played a relatively good game last night, it was just obvious that they were rusty and the Capitals weren’t. Tonight fatigue shouldn’t be much of a factor since the Pens have played 2 games in January, and as mentioned above I look for them to loosen up defensively a bit in an attempt to open the gates offensively. These two teams do put on a good show when they square off, so we should be in for some good hockey tonight.

“Shake with your right hand, but hold a rock in the left.” — Frank Underwood

we lost…butt paybacks are cumin

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