Capitals stun Penguins in Pittsburgh in NHL 20 simulation
The Washington Capitals used a three-goal second period to power them past the Pittsburgh Penguins in NHL 20.
While the Washington Capitals did have to hold off a furious Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry, Braden Holtby made the critical saves he needed to make to help the Caps escape Pittsburgh with two points and a huge win in NHL 20.
There’s nothing better than beating Pittsburgh. Even if it’s in the virtual world.
The first period would be scoreless with the Caps killing off a late penalty to keep the game square. After Garnet Hathaway was called for hooking with 2:31 left, the PK did a phenomenal job clearing the puck.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
The Caps were outshot 14-4 but Braden Holtby was a brick wall in the opening 20 minutes. The Caps led in hits 3-1 while face-offs were even at five apiece.
The Caps erupted for three goals in the second period to quiet the hostile environment. First, it was Tom Wilson at 5:50, every Penguins fan’s favorite player (sarcasm) off a quick pass in front of the net from Nicklas Backstrom. John Carlson was credited with the secondary assist.
At 12:50 it was Alex Ovechkin from downtown just outside the office of the left-face off circle off a nifty saucer pass by Evgeny Kuznetsov. T.J. Oshie had the secondary assist.
Ovechkin would strike again for his second goal of the night, 39th of the season and 53rd in our hearts off a pass from Brendan Leipsic. Ovechkin shot the puck from the front of the office to beat Penguins goaltender Matt Murray.
3-0 good guys would be the score after two periods and the Caps outshot the Penguins 10-4 in the middle stanza.
The Penguins got two back in the third. First Jakub Vrana was called for a hooking minor putting the Penguins on their second power play of the night. Jonas Siegenthaler made a steal and Lars Eller nearly scored a shorthander to put the game away.
Instead, Patric Hornqvist scored at 9:28 to get the Penguins on the board. The Penguins pulled their goalie and the Caps were unable to get an empty net goal and Alex Galchenyuk got a goal back with 7.6 left on the clock to pull the Penguins within one.
They still fought after the draw and Holtby made the glove save of the game with 0.7 seconds left to seal the win as there was no more time off the ensuing draw.
light. More. Capitals: When they came out of Columbus with a series tie
Check back here tomorrow to see how the Capitals fare against the St. Louis Blues in our own simulation of the game. If the Caps can beat them before they can do it again.