The Penguins-Capitals game on Wednesday had everything one would want in a hockey game. Social media drama before the puck even dropped! Goals! Big hits! Injuries big and small! There was a lot that went on in the Capitals’ 7-1 shellacking of the Penguins, so we’ll break down the most important parts of the NHL’s best Wednesday Night Rivalry of the season.
NHL scores 2016: The Capitals got their groove back on a fun Wednesday Night Rivalry
Just make the Capitals and Penguins play each other every Wednesday, NBCSN.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The set up
There’s no love lost between the Penguins and Capitals in any regard it seems. In the early hours leading up to the game, the social media teams of each side set the tone.
If you remember, the Penguins ousted the Capitals in the playoffs last year before winning the Stanley Cup. The bad blood is real, folks.
The friendly fire incident
Matt Murray was having a so-so game in net for Pittsburgh by the end of the first. The Capitals were clearly playing all over the Penguins, but Murray’s second goal allowed was quite soft. Then, a bad case of friendly fire took him out of the game after 19 minutes of play.
Marc-Andre Fleury got the call, but was immediately scored on for a 3-0 Capitals lead. After that, it started to spiral.
Thus began a penalty parade
The Penguins took a total of 10 penalties through the course of the game, resulting in seven power play opportunities for the Capitals. Most, by the end, seemed to come through frustration. One such penalty, a trip by Kris Letang, gave Washington a scare as Alex Ovechkin went down.
But, thankfully for Capitals fans, the captain came back and scored a gorgeous goal to cap off the seven-goal night for Washington.
Oh yes, the goals
There were a lot of them. In all situations.
Washington clearly had a lot of pent up frustration of their own after losing three of their previous four games by a total of 10-2. They showed up in a big way against the reigning Stanley Cup champions and got themselves even with them in the Metropolitan Division standings. All in a good night’s work, Wednesday Night Rivalry.
Scores
Capitals 7, Penguins 1
Flames 2, Coyotes 1 (OT)
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Three Things We Learned
1. Nicklas Backstrom is back
After netting just two points in the Capitals last five games, Backstrom exploded for a five-point night with two goals and three assists. Lots of Capitals looked good on Wednesday, but Backstrom grabbed his fifth career five-point game in the rout thanks to some great snipes like this.
2. Mike Smith made his return for Arizona
The Coyotes have been in rebuilding mode for a while now, but the absence of their starting goaltender has been a factor in their 5-9-1 start.
Smith was an integral part of keeping the Coyotes alive in the 2-1 loss in overtime. While the rest of the team collapsed, Smith held his ground long enough in goal to get Arizona a point. Twenty-two saves isn’t bad either.
3. Pittsburgh fell into a trap game
Sure, Penguins fans, a 7-1 loss isn’t good, but your team is fine. Pittsburgh just fell into the infamous trap game. For most of this season, the Penguins have been a really good starting team! And when they haven’t, they’ve actually been able to get wins out of it! Take a look:
You’ll get one or two of these bad losses a year. Take your lumps, Pittsburgh. They happen to everyone.
Impact Moment
Ovechkin came back after that Letang trip and scored a down right gorgeous goal on Fleury that perfectly encapsulated the night for both teams.
Stat of the Night
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