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Pittsburgh Penguins: Three Takeaways from Game 1 Vs. Washington

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Apr 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) defends in the second period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) defends in the second period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in game one of their round two match-up on Thursday by a score of 3-2.

In a very intense game which put up two storied rivals against each other, the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves pulling away with a win over the Capitals.

It was a hard-fought game with many big plays, so let’s take a look at some takeaways that came about from it.

1) Sidney Crosby is the Best

In a series where all eyes are on two franchise players, Sidney Crosby has already shown he can, and he will, outshine Alex Ovechkin.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

The narrative for this series almost writes itself. Both Ovechkin and Crosby came into the league in the 2005-06 season for their respective teams. Ovechkin may have taken the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year that season, but Crosby has eclipsed Ovechkin’s achievements by doing what Ovechkin hasn’t been able to do–win a Stanley Cup.

In fact, Crosby has not only won one Cup, he has led his Penguins to two Stanley Cups and another second-place finish in 2008. Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals on the other hand haven’t even gotten past the second round….

The story for this series is going to be the same as every other time these two teams have met in the post-season. Who will come out as the better player, Crosby or Ovechkin? Will Crosby triumph over Ovi again? Or will Ovechkin’s Capitals finally defeat Crosby and the Penguins?

Well after game one, it’s pretty easy to say Crosby is better. History favours Crosby, and so did game one. Ovechkin may have been able to net a goal, but Crosby scored not one, but two goals in under a minute in the second period to give his team the lead. It was also easy to see that Crosby’s game was just dominant overall in game one.

We’ll have to see how the rest of the series unfolds, but as of now, Crosby will be looking to eclipse Ovechkin again.

2) This Rivalry is Very Real, and We’re Going to See a Lot of Intense Hockey

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals have a very profound history with each other. Ever since the Mario Lemieux days, the Pens and Caps have been intensely contesting each other year after year. It’s gotten to the point where bad blood boils between players each game.

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And it’s only crazier in the playoffs. If game one showed us anything, it was that these two teams are ready to play their best playoff hockey against each other. Game one brought us many scraps, fights, and intense plays between players that shows they absolutely despise each other. What better way to play playoff hockey after all.

3) Marc-Andre Fleury is the Backbone of This Team

For someone who had to come in cold in relief of a sudden injury to Matt Murray, Marc-Andre Fleury showed he can perform in the first round, and game one showed us that he can still keep the Penguins in a game as well as ever.

Next: Jake Guentzel is Up for the Playoffs

I mean, just look at this string of saves in one of the most intense scrums ever. Talk about composure. Fleury is doing a great job keeping the Penguins in close at high pressure times, and he deserves all the praise that comes with it.

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