Capitals vs. Penguins: Game 4 prediction
With the Washington Capitals winning Game 3, we have a series folks. On top of that, Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby left Game 3 with a concussion and is highly unlikely to play in Game 4.
As was expected in a game between the Capitals and the Penguins, there was a decent amount of scoring and a lot to talk about. The Capitals played a great game and controlled play for about 58 of the first 60 minutes. Those final two minutes, however, were enough to see the defending Stanley Cup Champions claw their way back and force overtime.
Overtime didn’t last as long as Penguins fans would’ve liked as Kevin Shattenkirk bagged his first playoff goal for the Capitals to get a game back for the Presidents Trophy winners. But the Capitals pulling a game back in the series wasn’t even the biggest talking point to take from last night.
NHL superstar Sidney Crosby was taken out of the game by a cross-check from Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen only 5:24 into the game and didn’t return. Before being cross-checked by Niskanen, Crosby was shown to have taken a high stick to the face by Alex Ovechkin, and as he fell away he came into the path of Niskanen, who then raised his stick into the side of Croby’s face.
Crosby has been diagnosed with a concussion due to this collision, meaning his very unlikely to dress for Game 4. While this surely wasn’t what the Capitals meant to do, they will undeniably feel relieved that they can shift their focus onto Evgeni Malkin without fear of Crosby punishing them in the process.
With the very high likelihood that Crosby is going to have to sit out Game 4 against the Capitals, this could very well wing the pendulum of momentum in favor of Washington. Despite the fact that they will still, as they always do, struggle to keep up with the speed the Penguins possess, they are hungry to take another one away from Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena and head back to the nation’s capital with an even series.
Next: See Shattenkirk's Game 3 OT winner
The Penguins will be looking to Malkin and their depth forwards to step up in the absence of Crosby, which could very well be their downfall. Braden Holtby looked more comfortable and confident in Game 3, and an overtime win in Pittsburgh could be just the confidence boost he needs to have a ‘stand on his head’ type performance in Game 4.
Prediction: Capitals 4 – Penguins 2