| 11 May 2009
David Steckel not only vindicated himself, but was also rewarded for his series-long hard work. After missing an open net in Game 5's overtime, Steckel deflected in the game-winning goal from a Brooks Laich shot in Game 6's overtime.
The Caps win 5-4, and the Caps are filled with life as Game 7 looms on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
We've seen this game before and, in fact, this was a mirror image of Game 3. In that game, the Caps scored first, lost the lead, regained the lead, then lost it, only to lose on a deflection in overtime. Of course, the Caps didn't have the luxury of a powerplay in the extra period, but the similarities are still stunning.
Pittsburgh was as opportunistic as ever, making good on all of its chances and generating second- and third-chance shots on Varlamov, but in the end they finally got bit by the bad-luck bug. A shot careened off a post in the overtime period, just before the Caps scored the game winner.
I told you we've seen this game before.
Alex Ovechkin now leads the playoffs in goals and points, but he didn't light any lamps tonight; instead the secondary guys -- Laich, Flash and Kozlov -- got the job done. Alex Semin also appeared and put in a key goal, but Steckel's game-winning deflection is what we will remember most about this game.
Now those guys need to show up again Wednesday.
The Good
- Caps dominated in the faceoff circle yet again.
- Backstrom now has a nine-game scoring streak, a Caps playoff record. Good thing he was left out of all the "Ovechkin vs. Malkin and Crosby" ads.
- Caps were the benefactors of some serious luck, namely Kozlov's no-angle goal, and the Pens hitting the pipe in OT.
- Brian Pothier had a particularly solid game, earning a +2 rating, and wasn't on ice for a single Pens goal. It's been a long road to recovery for him, so it's great to see him playing well.
- Steckel has secured himself a small place in Caps history with that OT goal, but I'd like to think many would remember him for also dominating the Pens in the faceoff circle. He was 4/6 against Crosby and won 73% of his faceoffs.
- The Caps' resiliency is absolutely incredible, but it will be the stuff of legends if they can pull out the win Wednesday.
- For the first time since Game 2, the Caps have momentum and the game is at home. Rock. The. Red.
The Bad
- Pens brutalized Varlamov with shots. Poor kid needs help on defense, and while he's making the key saves, he can't make the third- and fourth-chance saves.
- The first period was atrocious. Pens looked like they were going to walk away with a regulation win after that period.
- The slashing call at the end of the game, not because it was a "bad call," but because it came at a very questionable time. It was a weak slash, but a penalty nonetheless, but I'd like to think that the whistles would be swallowed at that point. Considering both sides got to take quite a few liberties just moments before that.
- I'm about to put out an Amber Alert for Mike Green.
- Ovechkin may be big-time, but Crosby sure is clutch. His late goal that forced OT wasn't pretty; it was just a show of pure determination. Of course had some defenders cleared the puck...
- Speaking of clearing the puck, how many times have we seen Jurcina and Green throw the puck aimlessly into a Pens player in an attempt to clear?
The Ugly
- Not Caps- or Pens-related, but considering how much has been said about the officiating at least neither team did this.
Your Tweets
unleashthefury@CapsFans My favorite part about tonight is that the caps didn't get any calls and still won, what a freaking team. Stecks = Love
DaGreatOvechkin@CapsFans Barry Melrose (who I actually like because he always points out #Caps strengths) calls Laich Fleishmann!
Shaunheiser@CapsFans it looked like pens fans at Mellon were gonna cry after the game.
derekweikel@capsfans anyone wanna help a bears fan out with a ticket on wed??? you'll be my best friend.
scottschofield@CapsFans I'm so pumped I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. I'll need to pace myself now for game 7!
Capsaholic@CapsFans Steck scores in 3 we win those 3. When he doesn't, we lose. Steck on the PP Wednesday!!!
DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
LET'S GO CAPS!
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