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Penguins 3, Capitals 1

By Dave Molinari 8 years ago

A quick look at the Penguins’ 3-1 victory over Washington at the Verizon Center Wednesday night:

*** Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves and again was the Penguins’ best player. The only goal he allowed came when Evgeny Kuznetsov’s wrist shot from the top of the left circle hit defenseman Rob Scuderi’s skate and eluded Fleury. “We couldn’t get one past Fleury,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.

*** The victory was the Penguins’ fifth in the past six games and put them over .500 (5-4) for the first time this season.

*** The Penguins won for the first time when failing to score the first goal.

*** David Perron had his best game of the season – he was visible almost every time he went over the boards – and picked up an assist to end an 11-game point-less streak.

*** Penguins center Sidney Crosby failed to record a point for the eighth time in nine games this season.

*** The Capitals had won their previous five games.

*** The Penguins’ power play was 0-for-3, including a 5-on-3 that lasted one minute, 45 seconds, and is a league-worst 2-for-31 on the season. “We didn’t get frustrated [after the 5-on-3],” defenseman Kris Letang said. “It would have been easy to get off-track. We’ll fix it. It’s going to go in.”

*** Washington out-hit the Penguins, 37-24, as both teams played the body with vigor. “That was probably the most physical and intense game we’ve played so far this year,” Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “Not a surprise with the two teams involved.”

*** The Penguins’ penalty-killers had a strong showing, snuffing all three of the Capitals’ chances with the extra man. “Our penalty-kill was very good,” coach Mike Johnston said.

*** Beau Bennett, playing in his 100th NHL game, countered for the Penguins 28 seconds after Kuznetsov scored, throwing his own rebound past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. After missing the previous five games because of an unspecified injury sustained while celebrating a goal Oct. 13, Bennett kept his outward display of exuberance to a minimum. “I kept my arms in tight [while celebrating],” he said, smiling.

*** The Penguins have won seven of their past 10 games in Washington. All three losses have been shutouts.

*** Phil Kessel got his fourth goal in nine games – and his second game-winner – at 3:49 of the third, converting an Evgeni Malkin set-up, and Nick Bonino sealed the victory by hitting an empty net at 18:17.

*** Letang, whose career has been disrupted by concussions and a stroke, appeared in his 500th NHL game. “The main goal for a lot of hockey players is to get 1,000,” he said. “I have a lot of hockey left in me. It’s fun to reach that [milestone]. I wish I could have reached it faster.”

*** The Penguins will face Buffalo Thursday night at 7:08 at Consol Energy Center.