GAME THREAD: NHL: PITTSBURGH (3-3) at WASHINGTON (3-3)

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 2ND 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
PITTSBURGH 0 2 2
WASHINGTON 1 0 1 END OF THE 2ND

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: WAS - BRIAN POTHIER 1 (MICHAEL NYLANDER, NICKLAS BACKSTROM)
13:45
2ND PRD: PIT - JORDAN STAAL 1 (MARK RECCHI, BROOKS ORPIK) 3:58
PIT - (PP) RYAN WHITNEY 2 (SIDNEY CROSBY, RYAN MALONE) 17:59

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
PIT 6 11 17
WAS 12 8 20

GOALIES: PIT - MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
WAS - OLAF KOLZIG</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">------------------------------
Pittsburgh 0 2 --2
Washington 1 0 --1
------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------
Pittsburgh 6 11 --17
Washington 12 8 --20
----------------------------------

Goalies : Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (20 shots, 19 saves).
Washington, Olaf Kolzig (17 shots, 15 saves). Referees: Dan
O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1 19:58 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1 15:49 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1 12:12 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1 7:55 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1 3:35 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
PITTSBURGH 0 2 0 2
WASHINGTON 1 0 0 1 FINAL

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: WAS - BRIAN POTHIER 1 (MICHAEL NYLANDER, NICKLAS BACKSTROM)
13:45
2ND PRD: PIT - JORDAN STAAL 1 (MARK RECCHI, BROOKS ORPIK) 3:58
PIT - (PP) RYAN WHITNEY 2 (SIDNEY CROSBY, RYAN MALONE) 17:59
3RD PRD: NONE

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: PIT - 1 OF 5, WAS - 0 OF 3.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
PIT 6 11 5 22
WAS 12 8 11 31

GOALIES: PIT - MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
WAS - OLAF KOLZIG

OFFICIALS: REF - DAN O'HALLORAN, MIKE HASENFRATZ
LIN - DAN SCHACHTE, MARK SHEWCHYK

ATT: 18,277</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 0 2 0 --2
Washington 1 0 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Brashear, Was (major fighting), 2:32; G
Laraque, Pit (major fighting), 2:32; J Staal, Pit (major fighting),
6:21; M Pettinger, Was (major fighting), 6:21; S Gonchar, Pit
(interference), 8:36.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 6 11 5 --22
Washington 12 8 11 --31
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Pittsburgh - 1 of 5, Washington - 0 of 3.
Goalies : Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (31 shots, 30 saves; record:
3-3-0). Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0).
A: 18,277. Referees: Dan O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan
Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 1</div>

 

By Rich Dubroff
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- It was Sidney Crosby against AlexOvechkin, and in the end, the reigning MVP led his team tovictory.


Crosby set up the game-winning goal by defenseman Ryan Whitneyas the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals, 2-1,on Saturday night.


Jordan Staal scored the tying tally and Marc-Andre Fleurystopped 30 shots for Pittsburgh, which has won five straight andeight of nine vs. Washington. Last season, the Penguins sweptthe four-game series between the teams, marking the first timein the nearly 30-year rivalry that one club had swept the other.

It was Washington's fourth straight loss after starting theseason with three consecutive wins. Ovechkin was held without apoint for the first time this campaign.


With the game knotted at 1-1 and Pittsburgh on the power play,Crosby took a pass from Ryan Malone before sending the puckacross the ice to Whitney, who slapped it past goaltender BrentJohnson for a 2-1 lead with two minutes remaining in the secondperiod.


It was Crosby's 10th assist in nine contests against Washington.The reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, who is the youngestcaptain in NHL history, also has five career tallies vs. theCapitals.


Washington got on the board first when defenseman Brian Pothiergathered a pass by Michael Nylander and rifled a slap shot fromjust inside the blue line past Fleury at 13:45 of the first fora 1-0 lead.


However, Pittsburgh tied it early in the middle session. A shotby Mark Recchi from the right of the net bounced off Johnsonbefore Staal, who was lurking on the doorstep, jammed therebound over the left shoulder of the netminder at 3:58.

It was Staal's first tally of the season, ending a 13-gamegoalless drought dating to last season.


Fleury stood tall in the final period, knocking away all 11shots he faced for his third win in six contests this season.

Johnson made 20 saves for the Capitals, who have been outscored,17-7, in the four straight defeats.


The crowd at the Verizon Center came to their feet 2 1/2 minutesinto the third period when Washington tough guy Donald Brashearsquared off with fellow enforcer Georges Laraque in aheavyweight battle that had the building rocking.


Laraque delivered the first half-dozen blows before the 6-3,239-pound Brashear responded with several punches to Laraque'shead, including one that knocked the 243-pound Penguin to theice and sent the fans into a frenzy.

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 0 2 0 --2
Washington 1 0 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Brashear, Was (major fighting), 2:32; G
Laraque, Pit (major fighting), 2:32; J Staal, Pit (major fighting),
6:21; M Pettinger, Was (major fighting), 6:21; S Gonchar, Pit
(interference), 8:36.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 6 11 5 --22
Washington 12 8 11 --31
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Pittsburgh - 1 of 5, Washington - 0 of 3.
Goalies : Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (31 shots, 30 saves; record:
3-3-0). Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0).
A: 18,277. Referees: Dan O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan
Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH 0 2 0 --2
WASHINGTON 1 0 0 --1
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Brashear, Was (major fighting), 2:32; G
Laraque, Pit (major fighting), 2:32; J Staal, Pit (major fighting),
6:21; M Pettinger, Was (major fighting), 6:21; S Gonchar, Pit
(interference), 8:36.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH 6 11 5 --22
WASHINGTON 12 8 11 --31
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: PIT - 1 of 5, WAS - 0 of 3. Goalies :
Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (31 shots, 30 saves; record: 3-3-0).
Washington, Olaf Kolzig (22 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0). A:
18,277. Referees: Dan O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan
Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

PITTSBURGH WASHINGTON
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
G Roberts 0 0 even 3 B Gordon 0 0 even 0
J Staal 1 0 +1 2 C Clark 0 0 even 2
R Malone 0 1 +1 1 M Pettinger 0 0 +1 3
P Sykora 0 0 even 1 N Backstrom 0 1 +1 2
A Hall 0 0 even 1 B Pothier 1 0 even 2
R Whitney 1 0 -1 1 B Laich 0 0 -1 1
C Armstrong 0 0 -1 1 M Jurcina 0 0 even 1
M Talbot 0 0 -1 2 V Kozlov 0 0 -1 1
G Laraque 0 0 even 0 S Morrisonn 0 0 -1 1
M Eaton 0 0 even 0 T Poti 0 0 even 4
J Ruutu 0 0 even 0 D Steckel 0 0 even 0
R Scuderi 0 0 even 0 T Fleischmann 0 0 even 1
B Orpik 0 1 even 0 J Motzko 0 0 even 2
D Sydor 0 0 +1 1 M Green 0 0 +1 2
S Gonchar 0 0 -1 3 J Schultz 0 0 -1 0
E Malkin 0 0 even 4 A Ovechkin 0 0 even 8
M Recchi 0 1 +1 0 D Brashear 0 0 even 0
S Crosby 0 1 even 2 M Nylander 0 1 +1 1
A Nasreddine HEALTHY M Bradley HEALTHY
E Christensen HEALTHY B Sutherby HEALTHY
J Erskine HEALTHY</div>

 

By Rich Dubroff
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- It was Sidney Crosby against AlexOvechkin, and in the end, the reigning MVP led his team tovictory.


Crosby set up the game-winning goal by defenseman Ryan Whitneyas the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals, 2-1,on Saturday night.


Jordan Staal scored the tying tally and Marc-Andre Fleurystopped 30 shots for Pittsburgh, which has won five straight andeight of nine vs. Washington. Last season, the Penguins sweptthe four-game series between the teams, marking the first timein the nearly 30-year rivalry that one club had swept the other.

"There aren't too many secrets between these teams," Penguinscoach Michel Therrien said. "We don't come here with adifferent plan."


It was Washington's fourth straight loss after starting theseason with three consecutive wins. Ovechkin was held without apoint for the first time this campaign.


"We just didn't score," Ovechkin said. "They scored two, wescored one, even though we had lots of chances. At the end ofthe game, we lost."


With the game knotted at 1-1 and Pittsburgh on the power play,Crosby took a pass from Ryan Malone before sending the puckacross the ice to Whitney, who slapped it past goaltender BrentJohnson for a 2-1 lead with two minutes remaining in the secondperiod.


"It was a great pass by Sid," Whitney said. "It was a play wedesigned off the power play - me sneaking down a little bit. Itworked again."


It was Crosby's 10th assist in nine contests against Washington.The reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, who is the youngestcaptain in NHL history, also has five career tallies vs. theCapitals.


"Ryan had a couple of chances. His shot is so strong," Crosbysaid. "He shot one through a screen that almost went in.Obviously, it was a tight game, a 2-1 game. That's the type ofcontest you have to create chances. There could have been somemore goals scored. Maybe it's not 2-1 if the goalies don't makesome big saves."


Washington got on the board first when defenseman Brian Pothiergathered a pass by Michael Nylander and rifled a slap shot fromjust inside the blue line past Fleury at 13:45 of the first fora 1-0 lead.


However, Pittsburgh tied it early in the middle session. A shotby Mark Recchi from the right of the net bounced off Johnsonbefore Staal, who was lurking on the doorstep, jammed therebound over the left shoulder of the netminder at 3:58.

It was Staal's first tally of the season, ending a 13-gamegoalless drought dating to last season.


Fleury stood tall in the final period, knocking away all 11shots he faced for his third win in six contests this season.

"I think the defense did a good job blocking shots, cutting inthe passing lane and taking rebounds away," Fleury said.

Johnson made 20 saves for the Capitals, who have been outscored,17-7, in the four straight defeats.


"It was a couple of bad bounces for us," Johnson said. "I don'tthink we struggled so much, except for on the scoreboard."

The backup goalie was surprised when he received the start. OlafKolzig was slated to play, but just before game time, Capitalscoach Glen Hanlon played a hunch, sending in Johnson.

"As it turned out, it was a good call," Hanlon said.

The crowd at the Verizon Center came to their feet 2 1/2 minutesinto the third period when Washington tough guy Donald Brashearsquared off with fellow enforcer Georges Laraque in aheavyweight battle that had the building rocking.


Laraque delivered the first half-dozen blows before the 6-3,239-pound Brashear responded with several punches to Laraque'shead, including one that knocked the 243-pound Penguin to theice and sent the fans into a frenzy.

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 0 2 0 --2
Washington 1 0 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Brashear, Was (major fighting), 2:32; G
Laraque, Pit (major fighting), 2:32; J Staal, Pit (major fighting),
6:21; M Pettinger, Was (major fighting), 6:21; S Gonchar, Pit
(interference), 8:36.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Pittsburgh 6 11 5 --22
Washington 12 8 11 --31
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Pittsburgh - 1 of 5, Washington - 0 of 3.
Goalies : Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (31 shots, 30 saves; record:
3-3-0). Washington, Brent Johnson (22 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0).
A: 18,277. Referees: Dan O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan
Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH 0 2 0 --2
WASHINGTON 1 0 0 --1
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Brian Pothier 1 (Michael
Nylander, Nicklas Backstrom), 13:45. Penalties: M Nylander, Was
(goalie interference), 1:15; S Gonchar, Pit (hooking), 11:32.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 2, Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal 1 (Mark Recchi,
Brooks Orpik), 3:58. 3, Pittsburgh, Ryan Whitney 2 (power play)
(Sidney Crosby, Ryan Malone), 17:59. Penalties: B Laich, Was
(hooking), 0:41; S Morrisonn, Was (boarding), 1:50; A Ovechkin, Was
(slashing), 7:14; R Scuderi, Pit (cross checking), 12:16; M Green, Was
(high sticking), 17:09.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: D Brashear, Was (major fighting), 2:32; G
Laraque, Pit (major fighting), 2:32; J Staal, Pit (major fighting),
6:21; M Pettinger, Was (major fighting), 6:21; S Gonchar, Pit
(interference), 8:36.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH 6 11 5 --22
WASHINGTON 12 8 11 --31
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: PIT - 1 of 5, WAS - 0 of 3. Goalies :
Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury (31 shots, 30 saves; record: 3-3-0).
Washington, Brent Johnson (22 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0). A:
18,277. Referees: Dan O'Halloran, Mike Hasenfratz. Linesmen: Dan
Schachte, Mark Shewchyk.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

PITTSBURGH WASHINGTON
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
G Roberts 0 0 even 3 B Gordon 0 0 even 0
J Staal 1 0 +1 2 C Clark 0 0 even 2
R Malone 0 1 +1 1 M Pettinger 0 0 +1 3
P Sykora 0 0 even 1 N Backstrom 0 1 +1 2
A Hall 0 0 even 1 B Pothier 1 0 even 2
R Whitney 1 0 -1 1 B Laich 0 0 -1 1
C Armstrong 0 0 -1 1 M Jurcina 0 0 even 1
M Talbot 0 0 -1 2 V Kozlov 0 0 -1 1
G Laraque 0 0 even 0 S Morrisonn 0 0 -1 1
M Eaton 0 0 even 0 T Poti 0 0 even 4
J Ruutu 0 0 even 0 D Steckel 0 0 even 0
R Scuderi 0 0 even 0 T Fleischmann 0 0 even 1
B Orpik 0 1 even 0 J Motzko 0 0 even 2
D Sydor 0 0 +1 1 M Green 0 0 +1 2
S Gonchar 0 0 -1 3 J Schultz 0 0 -1 0
E Malkin 0 0 even 4 A Ovechkin 0 0 even 8
M Recchi 0 1 +1 0 D Brashear 0 0 even 0
S Crosby 0 1 even 2 M Nylander 0 1 +1 1
A Nasreddine HEALTHY M Bradley HEALTHY
E Christensen HEALTHY B Sutherby HEALTHY
J Erskine HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: PITTSBURGH at WASHINGTON

<div class="pre">NHL PITTSBURGH AT WASHINGTON
NOTE: RESENDING BOX SCORE TO CORRECT WASHINGTON GOALIE.
BRENTJOHNSON PLAYED FOR WASHINGTON.</div>