Pens Take Edge in Series With Caps

The Pittsburgh Penguins have managed to take command of their second-round series with Washington, thanks to a three-goal padding and another brilliant game by goalie Matt Murray. Now the Pens seek to take a stranglehold on the series, while the Capitals seek to scramble back with a road win to even things up.

The Series So Far

The series has been air tight so far with T.J. Oshie scoring a hat trick in Washington's 4-3 win in Game 1, and Eric Fehr picking up a game winner with four minutes left in a 2-1 Pittsburgh win.

Then in Pittsburgh on Monday, the Pens got three unanswered goals in the first two periods and held on for dear life, with Murray getting 47 saves.

Another night, another unreal game for Matt Murray (47 saves). pic.twitter.com/qjaXA8iL6K

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 3, 2016

But the Caps came hard the entire game, outshooting the Pens, 49-23, and scored two late goals for the 3-2 final. The showdown between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby had been a goal-less standoff with Ovechkin having the only point between the two of them. But he scored on a brilliant shot in the third period as the Caps battled to get back in the game. Meanwhile veteran Caps defenseman Brooks Orpik was sitting out, suspended for his late elbow to the head of Olli Maatta in Game 2. Still, the Capitals dominant penalty killing continued as they held off four Penguin power play opportunities. Meanwhile the Pens, who had killed six of seven penalties going in, dashed another three.

From Here ...

With the skill and balance both special teams have, that category has become more crucial to the outcome of the series. Another key will be Braden Holtby-Murray showdown. Both keepers have played well, with Holtby allowing little and Murray still strong, even with Marc-Andre Fleury now healthy and waiting in the wings. The Penguins appear to be the better team in the series, but they'll have to pour it on to maintain the upper hand in Game 4 on Wednesday, because the Caps don't let up. The Caps will come back hard on the Pens in the upcoming game, and I will gladly take any plus figure to a -110 for them to win it. Even with the 2-1 blip on the series screen in Game 2, I'm also thinking the over would be better than the under.