WASHINGTON, D.C. — The potential final meeting between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin had little to do with either of the game’s greatest ever. Instead, the Pittsburgh Penguins en masse played a structured game with plenty of offensive chances that met Washington goalie Logan Thompson’s pads.

Washington got a break in the second period when referees allowed Trevor van Riemsdyk to push the puck free from under goalie Stuart Skinner’s pad and across the goal line at 12:22 of the second period. Penguins coach Dan Muse saw a secondary replay which showed the puck might have been just a little bit available. It was … close.

That was the deciding goal as Washington beat the Penguins 3-0 at Capital One Arena.

“It wasn’t so much covered. I just felt like he had a little too much time whacking on the pad,” Skinner said. “So there’s been instances where that’s been called goal interference, but not too many times. So I was just hoping for a call to go my way … again.”

Muse didn’t think they could challenge the play, and others didn’t think it they should, even if they could have. Given the Penguins’ abysmal track record and their public and private tête-à-tête with the NHL over goaltender interference, it was probably a wise move by Muse not to try.

The Penguins were significantly better Sunday than Saturday. flipped the script with their injured players from Saturday, sitting five more players with minor injuries and dressing most of the players who missed on Saturday, including Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. While Washington was supposedly fighting to maintain its improbable playoff eligibility, the Penguins were clearly the better team Sunday.

The Penguins were a bounce or an extra touch away all day. But never got it.

“I don’t think it was a matter of traffic. I thought we were working hard to go there (to the net). It was just a matter of finishing,” Crosby said. “Around the net, whether it was a puck wide or (Washington goalie Logan Thompson) making a save, or maybe not getting a rebound that might have been there for us, (Thompson) played well. Give him credit.”

The Ovechkin Factor

It was only appropriate that Crosby and Malkin spoke about their long-time rival, respected enemy, and friend, Alex Ovechkin.

“Yeah, definitely (it was important for me to play in the game),” Crosby said. “I mean, just for a lot of reasons, you want to keep playing because of the potential (retirement), and then obviously we don’t know. So that fact was important (to play).

“He’s had a huge impact on (the game), on and off the ice. He came in with such high expectations, and I think he matched them, if not more. Those kinds of expectations, but to be the greatest goal scorer of all time, and to do what he’s done as consistently as he’s (done), has been pretty impressive. I’m definitely honored that I’ve played with him all these years.”

While everyone else seemed to wave goodbye, including Ovechkin who lingered on the ice after the game waving to fans and saying thank you, Malkin doesn’t think he’s done.

“I think he’s back next year for sure. He’s still hungry. He scored 30 plus goals this year, and he loves hockey, but if, IF it was his last game, I’m glad to play against him,” his fellow countryman Malkin said. “I’m glad to be his friend. I enjoyed every moment; he’s the greatest goal scorer of all time.”

Penguins Analysis

The Penguins lacked execution Saturday, but Sunday, they slowly dialed in toward some very good breakouts and zone entries.

The zone entries tilted the ice in the second period. The Xs and Os of the attack were a sneaky but simple flip of the Washington neutral zone defense against them.

The Penguins took the left wing–up from the defenseman to center ice, then one more tap forward to a forward on the wall at the blue line. Rather than dump the puck around the yellow and chase it on the strong side, the forward took the ice immediately ahead while the F2 trailed slightly.

As the Washington defenders turned to defend the rush on the wall, that created space behind them for one more pass–wing to center; now the Penguins had speed and pressure from the middle of the ice in the offensive zone.

The return of Crosby and the Penguins’ top line made a world of difference, but the Penguins were a break, a save away from breaking the game wide open.

Perhaps if Kevin Hayes or Tommy Novak had buried one of their golden chances. Same with Ville Koivunen, who began a sequence that ended with the puck on his stick at the corner of the crease.

Defensively, the Penguins handled Washington very well. There were stretches long enough that Skinner needed to dust off cobwebs from his pads.

Ultimately, the last few games of the Penguins season were and will be about getting ready for Game 1, likely next Saturday. Even though Muse demurred from the question, “Well, we were better than (Saturday),” he deadpanned, Skinner sounded an optimistic tone regarding the team’s increasing readiness for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“It’s playoff form, a little bit today, for sure. We’re in the mode of preparation going into Game One, obviously. It’s not just that we’re trying to get points (Saturday) and tonight,” said Skinner. “We’re going into our last game against St Louis, but there is some preparation in our game that we’re really trying to make things as detailed as possible going into the postseason.”

Penguins Report Card

Team: B+

The Penguins had a rhythm in their breakouts–the Capitals never hemmed them in their own zone. And the Penguins had precision with their zone entries. Whatever the reason, goaltending, hunger, a few shortcomings on the roster, the Penguins didn’t get the goal. But at least they looked good in not scoring.

Stuart Skinner: A

There is a polish, a professionalism to his game that steadies the team. He was quite good when tested Sunday. It would be a shocker if he’s not in net for Game 1.

“I thought Stu had a really strong game today. Again, those goals against. I mean, those are pretty loud ones. I think the first one, you can’t get that many opportunities, (that many) second opportunities when he makes the initial saves,” said Muse. “Not much you can say on that for him. And then you got a two-on-one there at the end of the game. In the first period especially, he made some big saves, and he just kind of slowed some things down there for us, too.”

Elevated Performances

Kevin Hayes: The depth forward with the big personality and lengthy career not only posted superior advanced analytics across the board (71% Corsi, 67% expected goals-for, 67% scoring chance rate, and a 67% high-danger chance advantage), but he was noticeable in doing so. He played with poise in the offensive zone, and the puck followed him like a lost duckling. He had a few Grade A chances and deserved a goal Sunday.

“I thought he had a really strong game today. He was around (the puck) a lot at both ends of the ice. And I can’t say enough good things about Kevin Hayes. He’s an amazing human being. He’s an amazing teammate,” Muse gushed. “I would honestly say he’s towards the top of my list of in terms of best teammates that I’ve ever seen in hockey. He’s right at the very top. He’s amazing.”

“And so, the situation this year is what it is. It’s not easy for a veteran player like him to be sitting out as long as he has … the way he’s handled it, the impact that he makes in our locker room that goes unseen by most. It’s incredible.”

Sam Girard: Another outstanding game for Girard. He’s controlling the play. He needs to shoot, but the book on him is that he won’t. No matter. He orchestrated the play from end to end. Another A+ game.

Kris Letang: The Penguins’ stalwart defenseman has figured out to let Girard play his game and be more freewheeling, and Letang is the clean-up crew, which he did very well Sunday.

Elmer Soderblom: He was a one-man cycle in the offensive zone. Even when a Capitals defender essentially pushed his head into the glass, Soderblom maintained puck control and offensive zone pressure.

Players Who Improved From Saturday

Justin Brazeau: His best game in some time. The Penguins’ big winger was noticeable. He couldn’t find that open shot, but he pressured the Capitals on the walls and in the offensive zone.

Ville Koivunen: Not his A+ game, but Koivunen was good Sunday. From his first shift, when he created a defensive stop at the red line and transitioned the team to offense, Koivunen was present in the attack. It was a B-grade sort of game, but that’s a huge upgrade from his disappointing performance Saturday.

Needed More

Rutger McGroarty: His game was rather muted, which isn’t the type of game he should be playing. Muse only gave him a team-low 9:55 of ice time. He has much more to give.

Veterans: In fairness, a lot of veterans were getting work and playing with structure, but not necessarily their best. Rickard Rakell was uncharacteristically quiet. So too was Erik Karlsson.

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