The Washington Capitals fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 3-2 in overtime at Capital One Arena on Tuesday night. The point lifted the Capitals a point ahead of the New York Islanders for second place in the East Division and two behind the Boston Bruins for first. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 34 saves in the loss, his 14th start in the past 15 games.
Capitals’ Lines vs. Penguins
The Capitals made some lineup changes down the middle after their 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday but they stayed the course on the wings and defense.
First Period
Defenseman Kris Letang’s wrister from out high was tipped at the side of the goal by center Evgeni Malkin to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead on the power-play 6:41 into the game.
The Capitals led 10-5 in hits and failed to convert on two power plays through 20 minutes.
The Penguins led 12-6 in shots, 7-3 in blocked shots, won 52% of the faceoffs, scored on their lone power play, and had no giveaways while the Capitals had four in the first period.
Each team was credited with two takeaways in the opening stanza.
Second Period
After defenseman Zdeno Chara dumped the puck in from the neutral zone, forward Richard Panik beat Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson in a puck race, took the puck to the net on a power move, and beat goaltender Tristan Jarry to the right pad to tie it at 4:38.
Slovak to Slovak 🤌 pic.twitter.com/m7k3OIhdU0
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 24, 2021
Forward Conor Sheary hammered a feed from center Evgeny Kuznetsov in the slot from the right circle to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead with 6:42 left in the second.
Right on the money 🎯 pic.twitter.com/uTVGarnlws
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 24, 2021
Forward Jake Guentzel tipped defenseman John Marino’s point shot into the net in front of Vanecek to tie it 22 seconds later.
The Capitals led 26-5 in hits, 8-6 in takeaways, and did not score on two power plays through 40 minutes.
The Penguins led 30-15 in shots, including 18-9 in the second, 10-7 in blocked shots, won 55% of the draws, had four giveaways while the Capitals had six, and scored on one of two power plays in the first two periods.
Third Period
The Capitals led 7-6 in third-period shots, 29-15 in hits, 16-13 in blocked shots, 10-8 in takeaways, and did not score on two power plays.
The Penguins led 36-22 in shots, 10-7 in blocked shots, won 55% of the draws, had four giveaways while the Capitals had nine, and scored on one of two power plays.
The game would go to overtime.
Overtime
Forward Kasperi Kapanen buried a two-on-one with center Teddy Blueger blocker-side to win it for the Penguins 1:43 into overtime.
The Capitals and Penguins will finish their two-game series against each other on Thursday night in Washington. Action from Capital One Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington beginning at 7 PM ET.
By Harrison Brown