What a start.
This series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals might be headlined by Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, but as many have said in the lead-up to tonight’s opener, there is so much more to this second round matchup than that. Washington’s 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1 tonight could be offered up as Exhibit A.
This game had everything except big offensive showings from Crosby and Ovechkin. They had their moments, but in the end combined for just one assist.
What we got instead was a hat trick by T.J. Oshie that was completed with a game-winning goal that made it past the line by such a narrow margin that it warranted a video review:
Murray on the goal: "I don't know how the ref that called it a goal could have seen it from his angle. I think I had it."
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 29, 2016
Oshie hat trick wins it for WSH two nights after Brouwer goal for STL eliminates CHI. Guessing both teams OK with that deal about now.
— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) April 29, 2016
This game also featured a sequence of three goals in 90 seconds and yet also some great saves by goaltenders Braden Holtby and Matt Murray. At the other end of the spectrum, there was a controversial hit by Tom Wilson that might lead to a suspension.
There was even some odd stuff. Like how Jay Beagle got a stick stuck in his equipment.
Twice:
If this game sets the tone for the rest of the series, then we should be in for a closely contested, highlight filled affair.
Sullivan said he hadn't talked to medical staff yet on Kunitz, who didn't return after getting hit by puck while on bench 33 sec into OT.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 29, 2016
NOTES:
-- Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin and Ben Lovejoy accounted for the Penguins’ other markers.
-- Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky scored the game’s opening goal. It was his first marker of the 2016 playoffs.
-- Washington outshot Pittsburgh 15-9 in the first period, but Pittsburgh ended up with a 45-35 edge.
-- This is the first time in the 2016 playoffs that Braden Holtby has allowed more than two goals. He surrendered just five goals in six games to Philadelphia.
-- Matt Murray suffered his first career postseason loss after winning three straight contests against the New York Rangers.