John Matthews
WMAL.com
PITTSBURGH — (CNN) It’s like “Groundhog Day” without any of the funny Bill Murray parts.
The Washington Capitals – the NHL’s best regular season team by far in 2016 – are once again proving to be a lesser team in the post-season, by failing to find their offense and falling to an injury-depleted Pittsburgh Penguins squad Wednesday, 3 – 2, on a Patric Hornqvust goal two and a half minutes into overtime.
The loss drops the Caps to a 3 to 1 disadvantage in the best-of-seven series, and it gives Washington its first three-game losing streak of the year, after taking the series opener against Pittsburgh.
“We’re not discouraged by it,” Caps defenseman Karl Alzner insisted after the game. “It was a good game by them. They held on tight. They made the plays when they had to make the plays.”
“I mean, whenever you lose a game, it’s obviously an opportunity missed,” Capitals center Jay Beagle said. But now looking forward, our backs are against the wall and most important games of our lives coming up.”
History is not on the Capitals’ side. The two teams have met eight times in the playoffs, and the Penguins have won seven of the series. But no one is giving up. Far from it.
“I think this team has lots of character,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. “Last year, we were winning 3-1, and we lost the series, so we have to take that experience and turn it around our way. I think it sucks. We wanted to tie the game and tie the series, but overall, I think we have to play our game.”
Game five is Saturday night at the Verizon Center.
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