The Washington Capitals overcame a lackluster 1st Period effort and an early one goal deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Sat. The game built up by NBC, the rest of the media, and fans as Crosby vs. Ovechkin actually showcased the different styles of team play from the most unlikely of players. Crosby and Ovechkin each tallied one goal during the game, but it was Steckel's goal & play all game long and a goal from the Tomas Fleischmann that helped the Caps take a 1-0 game lead in the series.
The Caps appeared to start the game well carrying the puck up ice for what would be a normal game, but the Penguins had other ideas. Pittsburgh rushed out onto the ice with an extra wave of energy as they aggressively moved up ice, won the battles for the puck, and maintained much of the 1st Period possession in the Caps end of the ice.
What can only be described as the "Jordan Effect" appears to have hit the Caps. The game may have seemed faster due to the frenetic pace of the Penguins, but it also seemed like the Capitals were waiting for a sign from Ovechkin to get the game underway and lead them to victory. It was a steady like pace that would have served the Capitals well during the regular season, but this is the playoffs.
Although a Capitals victory without some help by Ovechkin, Semin, or Green would be difficult, it wasn't Ovechkin that broke the game open and forged the Capitals to victory. The game changed on two big plays for the Caps. The first was the goal by Steckel. His hard work at even strength, on the penalty kill, and in the faceoff circle set the tone for the Caps along with the gritty play by Bradley. The role players carrying out their assignments signaled to the rest of the team that playing smart and within the game plan would eventually lead to opportunities by the skilled players and the rest of the team.
After a slap shot from inside the blue line clipped Varlamov's glove for the Penguins 2nd goal the Caps then countered with another momentum shift and second big play of the game as Varlamov made a highlight reel save moving from one post to then dive to the other post as his outstretched blocker and stick cast aside the puck sliding across the goal line by a Crosby open net shot. The momentum favored the Caps and didn't change the rest of the game.
Varlamov may have looked human after so many solid performances letting in a soft goal, but bounced back with a playoff like resilience denying a sure goal and paving the way to victory. The Caps young rookie has taken another step in his future as a starting goal tender in the league, as well as writing the first chapter in his Stanley Cup Playoff journey.
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