Courtesy: Capitals.NHL.com
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals find themselves a single point out of the final Wild Card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they are set to take on the class of the East and the Metropolitan Division in the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night in our nation’s capitals.
Pittsburgh has not been kind to Washington as they have taken the last six meetings against their regional rivals and look to steal a victory on the road in what is the first of a home-and-home series concluding tomorrow night at their home arena. With 88 points, the Penguins have a 14-point margin over the second place New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division, so the Capitals, who have 70 points, are more focused on winning at all costs just to crack one of the final playoff berths in the East. The division title is out of reach, but don’t expect any dropoff from either side as Pittsburgh is currently second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Bruins, who have 89 points in the standings.
The big story of tonight’s game is the debut of 21-year-old forward Evgeny Kuznetsov as he will make his NHL debut against one of the most talented teams in the National Hockey League today. The former 2010 first-round pick will have some adjustments to make in terms of playing at the NHL pace in comparison to the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) style of play, but don’t expect him to be limited on the fourth line too long.
Head coach Adam Oates said today at the morning skate at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex that he wants to see how Kuznetsov can evolve as a player before he throws him into the mix with the top six forwards. But he also didn’t rule out that No. 92 could see time with those guys. It will depend on the flow of the game and ultimately how he performs in his expected 6-12 minutes of ice time that will determine just how much and where in the lineup Kuznetsov will be playing.
As for the goaltenders, Jaroslav Halak (25-9-4, .918 SV%, 2.22 GAA) will get the call for the Capitals between the pipes. Jeff Zatkoff (9-3-1, .910 SV%, 2.75 GAA) will get the call for the Penguins as Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Hotlby should be in net for Pittsburgh and Washington respectively Tuesday night.
Halak played well in his first game for the Capitals as a few defensive lapses led to two goals for the Phoenix Coyotes. Luckily for the newly-acquired goaltender, his offense woke up in the third period scoring three unanswered goals propelling the home team to victory. The crowd came alive. The bench was rejuvenated. The season quite possibly was saved. That’s how momentum is built.
This game is crucial for the Capitals as they need a win on home ice to maintain their momentum completing a tough pair with the daunting Penguins. Four points should be the goal and Washington must never take their foot off the gas if they get a lead. Throughout 2013-14, Washington’s play has been lackadaisical and lazy at times when they’ve been ahead and it’s lead to a record that illustrates inconsistency and a team that makes its fans nervous each time the players take the ice. There’s a reason this team has blown 11 two-goal leads throughout the campaign. They just have to want it more and not wanting it enough has cost them.
Pittsburgh is a complete team whereas the Capitals are not. The Penguins enter the game fifth in goals for per game (3.1), eighth in goals against (2.5), first in power play efficiency (25.5%) and first in penalty kill efficiency (87.2%). The Capitals are more of an offensive-minded team whose defense has put them behind the eight ball as they enter 11th in goals per game (2.8), 24th in goals against (2.9), second in power play efficiency (23.2%) and 23rd in penalty kill efficiency (80.3%).
In order for the Capitals to come away with two points, they have to win the battle in front of the net, in the faceoff circle and control their own zone. They’ve had trouble doing all three this season and the Penguins are one of the best teams in each respective category.
Neutralizing center Sidney Crosby from doing dirty work and getting “garbage goals” in front of Halak will be crucial as no player in the NHL manipulates the front of the crease better than No. 87 for the Penguins. The faceoff circle will be crucial as well as winning faceoffs help win the puck possession battle. In winning that battle, Washington has to make sure they aren’t playing keep away from Pittsburgh as much as they are pushing the action at their own pace. And as for controlling their own zone, minimizing silly miscommunications and ceasing to puck watch when the puck is around the boards and walls will be crucial in deflecting pressure away from Halak.
This is a must-win game in what is the first of a tough pair against a division and regional rival. It’s hard to consider a game a rivalry when one side has dominated recently, but the excitement of Kuznetsov’s debut could spark enough of a fire that was started in the third period Saturday against the Coyotes to propel the Capitals into the win column.
