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Pittsburgh Penguins: Three Keys to Game 2 Vs. Washington

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Apr 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save as Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) and Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz (4) look on in the third period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save as Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) and Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz (4) look on in the third period in game one of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Pittsburgh Penguins defeating the Washington Capitals in game one on Thursday, they will look ahead to game two on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins played a strong game on Thursday. They brought it on both ends of the ice, and made a solid effort all around to get the big go-ahead win in the series.

As we prepare for game two, let’s look at a few keys to taking home a 2-0 series lead on Saturday.

1) We Need Better First Periods

I wrote about this in round one too but it seems like the Penguins are still not trying to dominate in the first period.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

In every game throughout the first round, Pittsburgh was unable to score more than one goal in the first period. You may be thinking that this isn’t that big of a deal as long as they keep it scoreless or keep a lead, but it’s actually pretty important.

If the Penguins offence can figure out how to score a few more goals in the first, they’ll be able to immediately shift the ice in their favour right off the bat. If they can set the tone of the game in their favour that quickly, the next two periods will be harder for the opponents. Just think about it.

If they want to get ahead of these high-flying Capitals, the Penguins are going to have to take control of a game sooner than later.

2) Keep the Offence Going

Other than the first period though, the Penguins offence has been great. Game one showed us that Sidney Crosby can score two goals in under a minute, and just like that, take control of a game.

We need this to happen again. And then we need to repeat. The Penguins scored the most goals out of all 30 teams this season with 278. We can score. We know that. Let’s keep it up and bring it when it’s needed most–in the playoffs.

3) Shut Down Ovechkin

For a good amount of the first period, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin seemed to be held down by the Penguins defence pretty effectively. We need more of that kind of play.

Ovechkin is to the Capitals what Crosby is to the Penguins. He’s their dynamite, and we do not want to give him a chance to explode.

We let him score one goal in the second period of game one. This goal fuelled the Capitals to tie the game up at two. This is unacceptable and we need to make sure we shut him down as much as we can.

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