PITTSBURGH – The stage was set once again for an epic showdown between two of the league’s best players in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Heading into Game 3 the Washington Capitals needed a win to avoid falling into a 3-0 deficit to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The crowd of over 18,000 was poised to watch what would be one of the 
most exciting and heart wrenching playoff games in recent memory.
The first period started off relatively even with both team trading both checks and scoring chances. Five minutes into the frame Crosby made a strong move to the net and turned into a cross check in the head from former teammate Matt Niskanen. Both Crosby and Niskanen would leave the game, Matt with and ejection and Sid with an undisclosed injury. Crosby did not return for the remainder of the game. No information on his injury is available yet.
Following the ejection the Caps penalty kill went to work killing off a five minute power play, only to be assisted by a couple frustration penalties by the Penguins. With the Capitols on a five on three, Nicklas Backstrom scored on a goal that was redirected off a Penguin in front of Marc-Andre Fleury. Soon after, Chris Kunitz appeared to tie it, only to be overturned on a challenge by Coach Barry Trotz.
The Capitals came out early in the second period putting pressure on the Penguins. Marc-Andre did everything to keep the Caps lead to one and the Penguins noticeably stepped up their physicality. The Pens would get some power plays during the period but failed to capitalize on any of them. At the end of an exhaustive second period, the score remained 1-0 Washington.
The third period began with a clean faceoff win and an excellent scoring chance for the Caps, but once again Fleury was up to the task. It wasn’t until halfway through the period that Marc-Andre would give up another goal. With little time to recover and Braden Holtby being perfect thus far, the Penguins did not seem to stand a chance.
With just under two minutes remaining, Coach Sullivan pulled Marc-Andre in favor of an extra attacker. Then Evgeni Malkin cut the lead to one with a hard one timer from the right dot off a perfect pass from Phil Kessel. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Justin Schultz would add another from the point with mere seconds remaining. Three periods would not be enough to decide this game as it headed to overtime.
The Capitals and the Penguins both gave their best effort in all three frames in a very close game. The Penguins failed to cash in on their power play chances while Washington made the most of them. Three minutes into OT Trevor Daley got sent to the sin bin, giving the Caps yet another power play opportunity. Soon after Kevin Shattenkirk, who had been mostly quiet all series, wristed one past Fleury to win Game 3, 3-2.
This game was a roller coaster ride of emotions for both teams and in the end it was the Capitals who made the most of their opportunities. The Penguins will obviously be waiting to hear the status of their captain, but if he is unable to play in game 4, the Penguins showed there is plenty of talent on their roster to compete with anyone. The Capitals displayed why they are the President’s trophy winner and still have their eyes on Lord Stanley’s cup.
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