Simeon Varlamov saves Capitals, shuts down Penguins 3-2

by FrankD on May 2, 2009 3:50 PM EDT in Game Recaps

The action was nonstop right out of the gate. After nearly four minutes of hockey, including crushing hits on Max Talbot and Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby crossed over the blue line and let go of a wrister that beat Simeon Varlamov glove side. Sid got another chance minutes later on a breakaway but was unable to control the puck and sent it just wide of the net.
The Capitals needed only three shots to get a goal, a charge-to-the-crease rebound goal by David Steckel to tie it at one. Fleury's inability to control the rebound played a huge factor on this one.
With about 3 minutes to go in the first, former Caps Matt Cooke took a stupid penalty while the Pens were already on the penalty kill to give the Caps a 5-on-3 PP chance. Bad idea. The ridiculously stupid "speer" by Cooke led to an Alex Ovechkin PP goal. Bench/scratch/punch Cooke.
Marc-Andre Fleury was in high demand early on in the second. Too many Pittsburgh turnovers left MAF on edge and at times very grateful for the crossbar.
Mark Eaton tied the game on a shot from the point that at first looked like an easy save. You can blame it on Eaton's shot velocity or Varlamov's poor posture but either way it went in to tie it up at two. The goal officially puts Eaton's postseason goal total at three, one short of his regular season total (and in 61 less games).
With less than a minute remaining in the second Kunitz and Crosby skated into the Caps' zone on a perfectly executed cross-crease one-timer that caught Varlamov out of position. Or so it seemed. If Fleury had the save of the series in Round One this one is easily a contender for top save in Round Two. And it's only the first game...
A defensive breakdown, to put it gently, allowed Washington to jump out to a quick 3-2 lead in the third thanks to a Tomas Fleischmann goal. Fleury was beat point blank. Nothing you can do there but play the percentages. That goal, along with a strong showing from Varlamov, would wind up being all the Caps would need to close this one out.

On four separate occasions today the Pens registered only ONE SHOT while on the PP. It's not like we can exactly expect them to convert on every chance, but at the least they can put more shots on net. Very poor outing.

Way too many turnovers this game on both sides of the puck but it would seem Pittsburgh picked up more than Washington. Perhaps it wasn't so much a matter of turnovers but instead strong forechecks from both teams. I suppose Game 2 will help clear that up a bit more.

Case and point, it's still early. It's only one game. As Hooks pointed out in the pregame, out of seven previous playoff meetings the Caps have won Game 1 six times. You can now make that seven of eight. A split series heading back to Pitt would be ideal.

Evgeni Malkin better show up to Game 2. That's all I'm going to say about that right now.

If you had to pick just one, who do you attribute to this outcome? Varly's save on Sid or Orpik's failure to cover Fleischmann? I'll hold off on my pick until I hear from you guys...

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terrible effort by Pens

Did the Pens play past the first period? As usual the pp was anemic, but you could say the reason why they were was because they didn’t even try. This game looked like game 3 and 5 with the Flyers. I didn’t see the Pens play this game at all. I think they played the first period and nothing beyond. To much passing and not enough shooting, and not enough ppl in front of the net.

by paps35 on May 2, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

aggghh...Orpik

I thought the Penguins outplayed the Caps for about 50 minutes, but the 10 minutes the caps just dominated, although the penalties certainly helped. Pretty poor outing by the pens, but the game gave me confidence the pens will win the series because the caps never once looked better than average.
If I had to attribute the amazing save or Orpiks bad D, I would definitely go with Orpik. Although it was a great save, Crosby didn’t hit the puck square and it wasn’t the best attempt. Orpik had an easy defensive assignment and COMPLETELY blew it.

Really disappointing game, Crosby seemed like the only penguin that wanted to win. Fluery gave the first goal away, along with all the momentum. I am confident the Penguins will practice hard, come back next game and dominate on offense.

by BurtonSB on May 2, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Varlamo doesn’t make that save, it’s 3-2 Penguins, and the Caps are fighting uphill. Orpik failed to pick up the guy skating to the net, sure….but the Varlamov save is the kind of thing that can change a series, kind of the way Fleury’s stop on Jeff Carter may have saved the Pens in Philly.

If the caps win this series, and go on to play for the cup, and maybe regardless of the outcome, that’s a save we’re going to seeing on the highlight reels for years to come, not only for how ridiculous a save it was, but also due to whose stick it came from.

This one’s an easy call for me, the final outcome was decided, essentially, by Varlamov’s outright theft of a goal.

by ahtrap on May 2, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

If you’ll permit an outside opinion, I thought it was Malkin’s failure to backcheck that led to the Fleischmann goal, rather than Orpik?

I would give the play of the game to the Varly save, at any rate. He also made additional saves that ranged from very good to the tough side of routine, which was a major factor. Fleury was even better.

Good, intense game.

by fat_daddyo on May 2, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Outside opinions are always welcome as long as they contribute to the conversation/debate. I think that was also on Fedotenko in a way but it was naturally Orpik’s assignment to pick up Flash. If anything going to his back heel would’ve allowed Fedotenko to come in down the middle and possibly take away the pass across. We’re also looking at this from a flashback perspective and obviously have had all game and every minute after that to think it over. These guys had maybe three seconds at the most to figure out what they were going to do.

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by FrankD on May 2, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks. I don’t troll, just to get that issue out in the open.

My thoughts on the game in general:

Crosby was the best position player on the ice. 1 goal, 1 miracle robbery, 6 shots, a ton of burst and jump, dominated the puck…he was a handful.

Malkin was largely invisible. Backstrom, for a guy with a couple of assists, was not any better.

Did not like the penalty disparity. The Pens speed and work ethic will draw an appropriate amount of penalties, but I thought the Caps could have drawn a few more.

Penguins PP was odd – they looked real good moving the puck at times, but it somehow did not translate into shots.

Pens dominated the first 15 minutes. Caps dominated the first 10 minutes of the second. Other than that, very even.

This one goes 7 if it stays like this.

by fat_daddyo on May 2, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Malkin did his best Joe Thornton impression on that goal when he failed to back-check.

I thought Crosby was outstanding from the drop of the puck.

by Missourimike on May 3, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense wins games, and a lack of defense loses them, I’m blaming Orpik. Sid did everything he could on his shot, and Varlamov bested him; that’s how things work. That was one shot out of many that were turned away. We saw defensive breakdowns for the Pens all day and I think that’s the story on why Pens lost.

by TrueBluePSU on May 2, 2009 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

I just thought of another way to say this, but here goes: Varlamov was just doing his job. He happened to do a spectacular job of it, sure, but keeping the puck out of the goal is his job. The Pens defense failed on their job, not necessarily any one player, but they did it all day and gave no support to MAF. So while you can say Varlamov robbed us of a goal, you can also say that the Pens D gave up too many.

by TrueBluePSU on May 2, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Gonchar went down to block the pass but Backstrom made a great play to get it by him.

Blame Orpik for not getting his man, sure….But if you go down to take the passing lane away, you can’t let the pass get through. And Gonchar did.

by Hooks Orpik on May 2, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

Ah good point. I didn’t even think of including Gonchar in the blame game.

Either way, did you have a good time at the game?

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by FrankD on May 2, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

-Crosby was the best player on the ice, his wingers aren’t shooting or performing offensively, he’s going to have to carry that line.
- The Pens can absolutely win this series, in a lot of playoff games the game comes down to one mistake, the pens made several mistakes and it was still close.
-Malkin has to backcheck with urgency all the pens do.
-Both teams were shaky in part due to the afternoon 1 pm start. I mean they could have atliest made it later in the afternoon at 3 or 4, but NBC couldn’t let it interfere with any other sporting events. I think the league should force the networks to take certain times, we deserve to see both sides at their best.
- Cooke’s penalty, Orpik taking his man, 1 or 2 Malkin backchecks, varlomov was even with the bad goal and the spectacular save. Expect a better all round effort in game 2.
- Secondary scoring for the caps has been great in the rangers series and now in the pens, The Pens need goals from forwards not named Malkin or Crosby. And if they don’t contribute they better play some intense D, backchecking and pk work.

Phili B

by ColeHarbour on May 2, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

poor mental decisions

cooke’s dumb penalty, missed assignments on defense, and poor decisions when making passes.

this was a very much a win-able game, so it was a shame we couldnt pull it out.

by t1mmy10 on May 2, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

Cooke has been driving me insane all season long. This penalty really pushed me over the edge.

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by FrankD on May 2, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Cooke would be well advised to show more self restraint. He unfortunately has a bit of reputation, which means if the refs can call a penalty on him, they probably will, especially after what he did to Vincent Lecavallier last year (I did not think Cooke is a dirty player or that the hit was dirty, and neither did the NHL, obviously, or they would have suspended him, but because it was a star player got hurt after being hit by a known agitator they fined him to ‘send a message’ that the league will not allow its ‘superstars’ to be injured by ‘marginal’ players even if occurs on a clean hockey play). The officials will be looking to keep Cooke in line lest he accidentally injure one of the Capitals skill players.

by kellyn on May 3, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Well he was also doing the same crap during the Flyers series. The thing is though, as much as I’d love to agree that the refs are just looking to hit him with penalties, he’s ACTUALLY earning them. Yes, I’m admitting that he’s going out there and earning the calls. Now sure, there may be some incidents where he gets called for something because of his reputation but today was not one of those examples. He’s also known to take a flop/dive here or there too, so it’s another thing to keep an eye on.

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by FrankD on May 3, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

After spending the entirety of the regular season watching Blobby Holik take stupid penalties behind Marty Brodeur’s net, mumbling ‘Seriously, Lou? Seriously?’ as I watched the Devils fail at killing yet another penalty, I can sympathize. If it weren’t for the video evidence on YouTube I honestly would never be able to believe that Holik was once a solid power forward capable of scoring big goals in the playoffs. So look on the bright side – it could be worse. You could have Holik on your team. Or Dainius Zubrus, who’s a larger, younger, less stupid version of Holik (only Holik has scored more goals in a single season that Zubrus has in his entire time with the Devils). Bleh.

by kellyn on May 3, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

varlamovs save

if crosby lifts that puck up 3 inches then i’d say we win the game. I’m not worried yet tho..i think we still got this. we gotta win game 2 and take the momentum back to pittsburgh. they’ll be juuuust fine.. lets go pens

B-SIS

by sisl3r on May 2, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

If you had to pick just one, who do you attribute to this outcome? Varly’s save on Sid or Orpik’s failure to cover Fleischmann? I’ll hold off on my pick until I hear from you guys…

From a Caps fan perspective (one at least), I’d have to say Varlamov’s play, especially that one save, was the single biggest reason the Capitals won the game.

by David Getz on May 2, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. Preventing a goal is worth way more than scoring one. The momentum that must have given the Caps was huge too.

by zephyr on May 3, 2009 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus, the Pens goals also resulted from Caps errors — Crosby’s from Erskine jumping up then Semin rolling off to the right side; and Eaton’s from Varly’s glove-whiff. Varly’s robbery is the play that stands out as the Pens had none quite-so-spectacular to match it.

by Pi on May 3, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions

GAME 1 VS CAPS

no excuses, the caps did nothing special today, we totally gave this game away,
FIX THE POWERPLAY……OR THIS WILL BE A SHORT SERIES…

Mario Lopez

by southernBURGH on May 2, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

The Varlamov save was sick and changed the game

As soon as I seen Sid shoot the puck I knew it was in, I stood and started to celebrate and…. what a great save… totally made up for the weak goal by Eaton.

Just shows, in the NHL, you gotta do more than just shoot the puck… Lift it Sid!

by Stros Bro on May 3, 2009 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

crosby+ hot goaltender = win series.

i wish I saw this game, but I was too busy watching the mets choke. Very interesting so far.

by kolparty on May 3, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Couldn’t you have watched a period of play in between pitches?

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by FrankD on May 3, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

probably.

by kolparty on May 4, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries...

….a split going home is exactly what we want. We will get that on Monday.

Sid was by far the best player on the ice.

The Pens were the better team with the exception of three brain farts….MAF’s poor rebound control, Cooke’s bad penalty (hats off to the Caps PP on the 5-3…that goal was awesome), Orpik/Gonchar defensive blunder…of course this is the playoffs and 3 brain farts are 3 too many…props to the Caps, they beat us in Game 1.

Now its time to forget about it and move on to Monday where Geno is going to dominate and the Flower will pitch a shut-out.

WE ARE.......PENN STATE!

by Nick7 on May 3, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

As a Caps fan, I’m really scared whenever Crosby comes with speed on the rush into the Caps’ D zone.
Steckel-Laich-Bradley did a good job against Malkin’s line.

by red army line on May 3, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions