Good run at Penguins continues with win
PITTSBURGH — The Capitals have played nine road games in three different venues against their chief rivals dating to 2007. They have yet to lose in regulation.
Washington’s latest visit to the Steel City wasn’t exactly a smooth one. But the Caps shook off a late game-tying goal in the third period by Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal to win 3-2 on a Dennis Wideman goal in overtime. They improved to 8-0-1 in Pittsburgh since a regulation loss here Feb. 18, 2007.
Wideman’s game-winning tally at 2:48 of overtime came just moments after teammate Mike Green hit the post. Nicklas Backstrom corralled the loose puck and fed a perfect cross-ice pass to Wideman for the winner. The goal came on a power play. Washington improved to 3-0 on the season.
| Notes |
| » Washington defenseman Roman Hamrlik tied Bobby Holik‘s record for NHL games played by a hockey player born and raised in the Czech Republic (1,314). Hamrlik is expected to break that mark at home Saturday vs. Ottawa. |
| » Caps defenseman Karl Alzner earned an assist on teammate Mike Knuble‘s goal in the second period. That gives Alzner at least one point in three consecutive games, a new career best. |
| » Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said it looked like forward Jay Beagle was knocked out by a punch from Penguins forward Arron Asham in the third period. Beagle will be re-evaluated in the morning. |
For the second game in a row, Caps goalie Tomas Vokoun (39 saves) allowed a goal on the opposition’s first shot. This time it was Neal on the right wing after a cross-ice pass from teammate Steve Sullivan. Washington dodged two Pittsburgh power plays and was outshot 12-3 in the period and 41-19 overall.
“We made not have had the territorial edge,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But sometimes you need goalies to steal you a game, and tonight Tomas stole us a game.”
But the Caps turned the tide in the second period thanks in large part to a goal by forward Mike Knuble, who bull-rushed Penguins goalie Brent Johnson and knocked the puck home to tie the score at 1-1. That tally came just 80 seconds into the period and continued Knuble’s dominance against Pittsburgh. He now has 31 goals and 15 assists (46 points) in 62 career games against the Penguins and has recorded at least one point against them in 13 straight games.
Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season, deflecting Mike Green’s shot past Johnson 40 seconds into the third period.
Later in the period, Washington forward Jay Beagle caught Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang with a blow to the chops and moments later paid for his transgression. In an ugly scene, Penguins forward Arron Asham got his right arm loose and unloaded two crushing punches to Beagle’s face, dropping him to the ice. As Asham skated toward the penalty box he celebrated his win by wiping his hands together and making a “sleep” gesture as Beagle bled profusely from his mouth and trainers rushed out to help. He later apologized for his actions.
