Update: The game only slightly slowed down after the second period, as the Penguins ultimately edged the Capitals 8-7 in overtime. Read all about it here.
This post goes into greater detail about the second period, which is worthwhile ... because it was a brain-full.
***
Let’s just take a second to step back and rub our eyes in disbelief at this Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins game, particularly the just-passed second period.
Basically everything is happening.
Evgeni Malkin is now at 21 goals on the season as he generated a hat trick in the middle frame. That third goal will be highly - and understandably - contested thanks to possible goalie interference by Patric Hornqvist.
At his best, Hornqvist is in the thick of things, and that was certainly the case on Monday. Granted, this hit on T.J. Oshie was questionable:
Hornqvist hit on Oshie pic.twitter.com/tSIzwM2WmX
— steph (@myregularface) January 17, 2017
Braden Holtby was chased from the Capitals net after the Penguins reeled off five goals in 8:09, which you can view here:
The Capitals brought a 2-0 lead into the second period and fattened it to 3-0. After that, the Penguins built a 5-3 lead with the flurry from above.
Brett Connolly made it 5-4 just 30 seconds after Malkin’s second goal, while Lars Eller tied it up at 5-5 about two minutes later.
That tie lasted ... less than 30 seconds, as Malkin’s third tally made it 6-5 for the Penguins.
#Caps hadn't allowed 6 goals in a game all season. #Pens just scored 6x in the second period alone to take a 6-5 lead through 40mins.
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) January 17, 2017
There’s a bunch of other stuff that happened, too, probably.
/catches breath
how are we doing? still breathing?
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) January 17, 2017
You can watch the rest of the game on NBCSN, online or via the NBC Sports App. Here’s the livestream link.
GOALS:
— NHL (@NHL) January 17, 2017
Capitals
Capitals
Capitals
Penguins
Penguins
Penguins
Penguins
Penguins
Capitals
Capitals
Penguins
...through two periods.#WSHvsPIT