The one remaining Eastern Conference series plays its Game 6 tonight. Let’s take a look at the picks, plays and predictions for Capitals-Penguins tonight.
| Capitals vs Penguins ML +111 / -123 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
#1 Capitals vs #2 Penguins: The Washington Capitals pulled out a huge victory in Game 5 to lengthen the series and set it back to Pittsburgh. Down 3-2, they will need a road victory to send it back home for a Game 7 in a series. They are 2-3 on the road this postseason. The Pens are 4-1 at home.
Game 5 was fairly even in total shot attempts, with the Penguins out-attempting the Caps 50-44. However, only 19 of Washington’s attempts got on goal, while Pittsburgh managed 31 shots on goal.
Alex Ovechkin opened up the scoring less than five minutes into the game. Seven seconds into a Washington powerplay, Ovi did what he does best and teed up a one-timer from the left circle. Only a few minutes later, the Penguins were handed a powerplay opportunity of their own. A Phil Kessel one-timer was loose in the crease and Chris Kunitz put home his first goal of the NHL Playoffs.
T.J. Oshie finally found the back of the net after three games of quiet. The Caps patiently set up yet another one timer from the left circle, which produced a juicy rebound for Oshie to put home.
Midway through the second period, Justin Williams capitalized on an egregious turnover in the defensive zone by Brian Dumoulin and put the game out of reach. Despite an onslaught of chances, the Caps held the Penguins scoreless in the third period to hold on for a 3-1 victory.
The Capitals being down in the series forced them to try some new combinations in their forwards. Nicklas Backstrom was separated from Alex Ovechkin, instead being flanked by Marcus Johansson and Andre Burakovsky. Backstrom was replaced by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the top line, with Justin Williams being dropped to the third line with Jay Beagle and Jason Chimera.
The fourth line saw virtually no time whatsoever. Daniel Winnik saw the least amount of ice time with 5:36.
The Capitals’ new-look third line was abused possession-wise. The top pairing had a spectacular game. In 20+ minutes of ice time at even strength, Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen were a +10 and +7, respectively.
Pittsburgh’s second line was dominant. Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Chris Kunitz were far and away the best generators of chances for the Pens.
If the Penguins want to lock this series down, they are going to have to keep up their play on the penalty kill. The Capitals are now 3-for-17 on the man advantage. In the Pens’ three wins, they have held the Caps to just 1-for-8. Prior to Game 5, they were 1-for-22 in their last seven games.
By the same token, Pittsburgh desperately needs more from their own powerplay. After starting the series 0-for-14, the Pens finally broke through for a powerplay goal in Game 5. They were 1-for-2 in the game.
Olli Maatta is reportedly a game-time decision for tonight. The Pens could desperately use Maatta to provide some relief for Dumoulin and Letang, who have been chewing up minutes this series.
Matt Murray will once again be the starter for the Pens tonight.
Brooks Orpik will be back in the Washington lineup tonight after serving a three-game suspension.
The Washington Capitals are facing a big uphill battle. The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2013, when they were swept by the Boston Bruins. The Capitals have not been to the Eastern Conference Finals since 1998.
I again find myself harkening back to my series prediction and sticking with my gut for tonight’s prediction. I do not think this series can end in any other way besides a Game 7. Because playoff hockey calls for anarchy.
Prediction: Take the Washington Capitals to force a Game 7 tonight at +111. Play the under.
