Penguins dig deep
MINUS CROSBY, PENGUINS EDGE CAPITALS TO TAKE 3-1 SERIES LEAD
Forget about revenge for the brutal cross-check that knocked Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby out of the playoffs indefinitely. Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t want any part of it. The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender came up with a more effective method of retribution against the Washington Capitals
“The best way to make them pay is winning,” Fleury said.
Something the defending Stanley Cup champions keep doing no matter who is — and who isn’t — in the lineup.
Fleury stopped 36 shots, rookie Jake Guentzel took advantage of a fortunate bounce for his playoff-leading eighth goal and Pittsburgh pushed Washington to the brink of elimination with a 3-2 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday night.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Washington.
Outplay and outshoot the Penguins all you want. Outscoring them is another matter entirely.
Patric Hornqvist provided the Penguins with an early boost and Justin Schultz’s power-play goal just past the game’s midway point was enough for Fleury to do the rest.
Rendered a backup most of the season behind Matt Murray, Fleury is now Pittsburgh’s most vital player, one who seems to thrive in the face of Washington’s incessant pressure.
“He’s elevated his game at an important time,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a competitive guy. He’s a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender and I think he’s showing it.”
Consider the Capitals believers. Washington has pumped 142 shots at Fleury through four games, nearly 50 more shots than the Penguins have managed the other way (93). And yet all those opportunities have translated into just one victory.
“We had good chances and we didn’t bury them,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said. “Our backs are against the wall.”
Again. One more win by Pittsburgh and the Penguins will send the Presidents’ Trophy winners home for the ninth time in 10 playoff meetings.
The Capitals insist it’s not mental, though at times they were their own worst enemy. Guentzel’s goal came when a crossing pass deflected off Washington defenceman Dmitry Orlov and by Braden Holtby .