Leave it to number 87 to win an 8-7 hockey game.
Evgeni Malkin grabbed a hat trick during that patently absurd second period, yet it was Sidney Crosby who helped to create the overtime game-winner (credited to Conor Sheary) as the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals on Monday night.
No doubt about it, there was some controversy, including on that clinching goal. And not just because the tally survived the review process:
Cool cool pic.twitter.com/xnyP0b5dh6
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) January 17, 2017
MORE: Watch the full overtime here. Check this post out for additional information on that zany second period.
Regardless, the Penguins’ three-game losing streak ends (as does Washington’s nine-game winning run). The Caps at least got a standings point out of the deal, which seems pretty fair when you consider the fact that they scored a touchdown and extra point’s worth of goals in this one.
(Yes, there were NFL jokes on Twitter.)
Malkin’s hat trick goal and Crosby’s fourth point both demanded official reviews, but both also stood. Capitals fans are probably upset with this game, especially since you could make a legitimate argument that T.J. Oshie should’ve drawn ... you, know, at least one penalty:
Hornqvist hit on Oshie pic.twitter.com/tSIzwM2WmX
— steph (@myregularface) January 17, 2017
Instead, you could argue that Patric Hornqvist’s hit on Oshie ended up being a turning point of the game in Pittsburgh’s favor, although you could also argue that even M. Night Shyamalan couldn’t keep up with all of the twists.
Roberto Luongo captured the mood of the three goalies involved (Braden Holtby got the hook after allowing five goals over a zany 8:09 span) and likely the coaches, too:
I'm watching this pens-caps 7-7 game in the fetal position.......
— Strombone (@strombone1) January 17, 2017
To recap, Malkin had that hat trick, Crosby scored a goal and three assists and Sheary generated a three-point night (two goals, one assist). Trevor Daley generated three assists while Justin Schultz did it one better with four.
Oshie collected a goal and two assists, Lars Eller generated two big goals and Alex Ovechkin chipped in two helpers of his own.
The goalie stats, were, well ... (see that Luongo tweet).
***
Overall, it was a messy, unpredictable, staggering and sometimes controversial game.
Normally, one might say that this is just what you’d expect from a Capitals - Penguins contest. Can anyone really argue they expected this explosion, though?
Do yourself a favor and watch the highlights, as there were so many exciting moments and goals that it’s difficult to summarize them all in one recap. Heck, if you just watch the highlights of the night for Crosby and Malkin, you’re likely to be highly entertained.
If we’re treated to another contest between these teams in 2016-17, it will be in the playoffs. Plenty of hockey fans would love to see that, at least if their hearts can take it.