Caps take series lead with OT win in Game 1

The Washington Capitals took the series lead after the first game with a hat-trick goal from T.J Oshie to give the Washington Capitals a 4-3 win. The series has been heavily billed beforehand due to it being the second match-up in the playoffs of Crosby and Ovie but both failed to score and Ovie only managed to pick up a solitary assist.

The Penguins continued to play their style of fast, aggressive hockey and they enjoyed a dominant shot clock taking 45 shots to the Capitals 35. Despite having more shots the Penguins failed to take their chances counts and the Capitals took theirs where it mattered. This was a strong test for Murray and aside from one weak goal he did his job well and continued to make a case for the future goaltending position of the Penguins.

The Capitals enjoyed a bright start to this game and caught the Penguins seemingly, flat footed, out-shooting them 15 to 9 in the first period. The Capitals took the lead through Burakovsky who scored his first goal of the 2016 playoffs with a rebound goal off Murray from a 3-on-1 breakaway by the Caps.

For the next two periods the Penguins controlled the shots and had more chances and they were able to get their first lead in the series with two quick goals together. Bonino and Malkin scored 57 seconds apart. Lovejoy skated down the ice and split the defence before passing it to Bonino who had an open goal. Malkin then gave the Penguins the lead with a backhanded shot over Holtby's shoulder.

T.J Oshie then took control of the game and scored the Caps next three goals, the third being the game winning goal in overtime. The Capitals took the lead again early in the third period after Ovechkin set Oshie free and he finished with ease. The Penguins managed to avoid losing in regulation with Bonino scoring after a quick move behind the net by Kessel to find him in front.

One of the biggest talking points however wasn't a goal. It was Wilson's knee to knee hit on Conor Sheary that left him limping after the game. Wilson took a clear detour when skating to the bench and knee'd Sheary as he was skating past. The NHL's Department of Player Safety dished out the punishment today. A fine. Great deterrent, it won't be long before someone is hurt the way the DoPS have handled cases this year.

Despite losing the first game the Penguins can look at the positives. They put three past a hot goalie in Holtby. They took the leagues best team over the season to overtime and were only beaten by a goal that just crossed the line. With a clampdown on defensive mistakes they should be fine