Pens hold on to win Game 3, lose Letang for Game 4

The Washington Capitals put in their best game yet and came away with a loss to the Penguins in Game 3 to the score of 3-2. Matt Murray put in his best performance to date stopping 47 of the Capitals 49 shots, including 35 straight before Ovechkin broke the shut-out 8 minutes into the third period.

Despite being outshot 49 to 23 and outhit 58 to 25 the Penguins had the better start and scored two goals exactly a minute apart, the first coming after 6 minutes and 37 seconds. Patric Hornqvist scored his 4th goal of the play offs to get it going. Crosby's original shot was lost as it went in the air and Conor Sheary picked it up along the boards. He quickly passed it out to Daley who shot from the point and it ended up being deflected in by Hornqvist. The exact place you expect to find Hornqvist.

The second goal was, to be frank, a very lucky one. Letang was involved with a pass up the ice that split the Capitals defence to Matt Cullen. Cullen and Kuhnhackl advanced in a 2 on 1 and Cullen's pass which was intended for Kuhnhackl's stick was deflected up and in off his back. They all count. The third goal was the work of a heavy forecheck that created a turnover which  Kessel picked up. He passed the puck to Bonino who was open in front of Holtby. Instead of shooting he chose to go around Holtby and slot it back to Hagelin for the easy finish. Carlson took exception and whacked Hagelin as he skated past to celebrate.

Despite being in a 3-0 lead the Capitals continued to fight back and Ovechkin finally converted for them to score on their 36th shot of the game. He took a shot from just outside the circle which beat Murray, even with his fast glove hand. The goal gave the Capitals a new drive and they pushed heavily to get another quickly. The Penguins defence kept them at bay brilliantly and was able to frustrate them until the last minute when Justin Williams scored to make the ending nervous. The Penguins held on though.

The biggest talking point of the game sadly wasn't a hockey play but a hit by Kris Letang on Marcus Johannson that resulted in Letang being banned for a game meaning he will miss Game 4 on Wednesday. Johannson skated into the defensive zone in the 1st period to play a pass. However, when doing this he kept his head down and then kept his eye on the pass. Letang hit him, fair to say Johannson didn't see him. However, the issue is that Letang hit him in the head and as someone who has been on the receiving end of those, he should know better.

I have no issue with the 1 Game suspension. I think it is fair. But it now makes Game 4 incredibly hard for the Penguins to win and the Capitals will be overwhelming favourites to win. If the Penguins are going to win they need to have Crosby appear, he's been far too quiet this series. They will also need Matt Murray to be on his best again. A win and a 3-1 lead going back to Washington would be huge for Pittsburgh.