Why Did the Washington Capitals Beat the Pittsburgh Penguins This Year?
The Washington Capitals outperformed the Pittsburgh Penguins in various aspects of the game, leading to their victory. This year, the Capitals demonstrated superior performance in net, on defense, and through their depth, while the Penguins struggled due to poor contributions from their backups and key players.
Key Players and Their Impact
The Penguins were relied heavily on their top-line players. Sidney Crosby was on the ice for the majority of the Penguins' goals, accounting for almost half of the team's total in the series. Alongside him was Travis Kuznetsov, who combined with Crosby to score a combined 43% of the Penguins' goals.
In contrast, the Capitals' top goal-scorers, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Braden Holtby (as a scorer), contributed significantly to the team's success. Kuznetsov's five-hole goal in Game 5 tied the series and secured a victory in Game 6. Meanwhile, Holtby's exceptional goaltending play was instrumental in the Capitals' success, with a .921 save percentage, as opposed to Matt Murray's .905 save percentage.
Depth and Strategy
The Capitals showcased their strength in depth. Due to injuries and suspensions, they fielded 15 forwards throughout the series, with 12 of them scoring a point. This depth allowed the Capitals to adapt to different defensive strategies and maintain consistent performance.
On the other hand, the Penguins played a total of 13 forwards, with only six scoring any points, and only three managing to achieve a goal. This limited contribution from the depth players contributed to the Penguins' downfall in the series.
Game Analysis
Braden Holtby, the Capitals' goaltender, provided key assists and excellent play, ensuring that shots on goal were adequately defended. Matt Murray, despite his efforts, struggled to match Holtby's performance. Murray's .905 save percentage was lower than Holtby's .921, indicating a clear difference in their goaltending prowess.
In the Flyers-Penguins series, Murray played exceptionally well for several games, but the Penguins were unable to score more than three goals against the Capitals in any game. Murray's best performances came in games one and four, both of which the Penguins won. However, his performance in Game Six, although decent with a .933 save percentage, was not enough to secure a win.
The Capitals effectively exploited weaknesses in the Penguins' defense through odd-man rushes and breakaways, which the Penguins had used to great effect against the Capitals the previous year. The Capitals capitalized on these opportunities, using stretch passes to put Kuznetsov in advantageous positions behind the Penguins' defense.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that the Washington Capitals outperformed the Pittsburgh Penguins in critical areas, demonstrating resilience and strategic play. Their goaltending, depth, and ability to counterattack were significant factors in their victory.