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Capitals: Top 3 winners against the Penguins

By Michael Marzzacco |
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals brings the puck off the boards against Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche in the second period at the Pepsi Center on February 13, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals brings the puck off the boards against Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche in the second period at the Pepsi Center on February 13, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals needed another big win against their arch nemesis and they got it.

The Washington Capitals escaped Pittsburgh with a 5-2 win over the Penguins in a game they needed to win badly. The win snapped a two game slide and also gave the Caps a two game edge in the season series over the Penguins. There’s one more matchup between the two.

Nic Dowd put the Caps up early on at 1:52 and Nicklas Backstrom (16:15) and Richard Panik (18:38) added to the lead to make it 3-0 after the first period.

Backstrom’s goal came at the top corner off a feed from the middle by Jakub Vrana. T.J. Oshie had the secondary helper. 3-0 was the score after 20 with the Caps having the edge in shots 12-6. The second period was scoreless with shots on goal even at seven apiece.

Dowd added his second goal of the game 34 seconds into the second period. The Penguins got on the board at 5:09 thanks to Sidney Crosby. Evgeny Malkin pulled them closer at 12:13 before T.J. Oshie put the game away at 13:12.

The Penguins outshot the Caps in the final period 15-9 and shots were even Steven at 28. Braden Holtby made 26 saves.

Here are the top 3 winners from one of the biggest wins of the seasons.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers makes the first period save on Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers makes the first period save on Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Richard Panik

The fourth line shined the most in Pittsburgh and Richard Panik deserves to be a third hero in our top 3 recognition. Panik’s goal came at 18:38 and was assisted by the two Nicks or Nic’s. Nick Jensen and Nic Dowd.

“Our line just clicked and we played hard. Those guys worked hard in the corners, tried to find me and it’s working,” said Panik.

“I feel comfortable. It’s good this time of year. There’s still lots of games left and I’m trying to get ready for the playoffs.”

On the addition of the deadline acquisitions:

“(Kovalchuk) can score. I think those guys have played pretty good to help us offensively so we’ll see how it goes.”

The Caps line of Richard Panik, Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway have outscored opponents 4-1 since Feb. 25th at 5-on-5. Saturday was Panik’s second consecutive multi-point game following a two-assist game against the New York Rangers.

It seems Panik has improved since moving to the fourth line and the Caps could use that in the homestretch of the season.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: (L-R) Ilya Kovalchuk #17 and T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals arrive for the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: (L-R) Ilya Kovalchuk #17 and T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals arrive for the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

T.J. Oshie

The Oshbabe aka T.J. Oshie is now ranked second on the Caps behind Alex Ovechkin in goals after he scored his 26th goal of the season on Saturday. It gave Oshie six goals in his last eight games against the Penguins proving his clutchness against Pittsburgh.

After the Penguins got two back when the Caps went up 4-0 it was Oshie to silence the house. Oshie took a centering pass from Nicklas Backstrom and fired it right up the middle.

Backstrom’s assist was his 42nd of the season. He’s on pace to record 50 assists this season which would mark his seventh consecutive 50 assist season. Backstrom would be the only player in the NHL with an active streak that high.

Oshie told Mike Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com after the game:

“I think the win means a lot but I think the way we played means more. Obviously we give up a couple there late, but from the top all the way down, everyone had the same effort tonight. Dowder’s line and Lars [Eller’s] line, they bring that effort every night. When we get the top two [lines] working that same way, we’re going to have success and we’re going to be hard to beat.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 17: Nic Dowd #26 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck ahead of Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 17: Nic Dowd #26 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck ahead of Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Nic Dowd

Nic Dowd was easily the first star and the MVP of the game with two goals. His first came a minute and 52 seconds into the game assisted by Garnet Hathaway and Richard Panik as the fourth line killed it all afternoon. Dowd’s first goal came wide open right up the middle.

Dowd told Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com:

“If any line’s first shift scores a goal right out of the gate, that’s a good start. And it seems like we’ve been on the other end of that for the last month, and we end up chasing games.”

Dowd’s second goal came 34 seconds into the third period which was a shorty to help pad the Caps lead to 4-0. Carl Hagelin and Nic Dowd practically played catch down the ice and Dowd finished it for his seventh goal of the season.

light. Trending. Washington Capitals showed up against Pittsburgh Penguins

The Caps will look to take that momentum into Buffalo as they take on the Sabres on Monday night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington and ESPN +.

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