Series Recap: Pens beat the Caps (again)

[@rosesforleo]

Keep praising Flower y'all!!! He deserves it so much!!!!!

[@Sekushiwolf]

They did the thing!

[@oldtimer5123]

pens were missing Letang and still won.. Poor caps :/

[@Gh0stBustaz11]

Not a big deal when they the Penguins have players like Crosby, Malkin, Kessel. Letang is the least of your worries.

[@admin8073]

Letang is the MVP of the team. He is the engine that runs the Pittsburgh Machine. I would be more confident in taking on Caps without Crosby vs taking them on without Letang.

[@Gh0stBustaz11]

The point is, the Penguins have so much depth that basically it doesn't matter who is injured, unless its literally almost every player. They have shown this with playoffs, and repeatedly during the regular season

[@admin8073]

Disagree. He plays over half the game and dominates top lines. The gap between Letang and next D-man is huge. Pittsburgh should have been out in round 1 but still playing because of MAF. In a full season, with the way Pens playing now, they probably finish near dead last.

[@percussionjamz6704]

admin8073 yeah Daley and cole are the best right now for the d. But man Letang is the most athletic defenseman and best puck handler for a defenseman. I would allow Erik Karlsson to be the only player to compare in defensive abilities.

[@BobbyT.]

I believe that the Penguins deserved to win the series still, despite getting out shot and even out played throughout most of the series. I firmly believe that good teams know how to win, but the BEST teams find ways to win. The Capitals know how to win, but the Penguins can find ways to win, no matter what.

[@jmols]

Its about the quality of the shot not the quantity. If they are just firing the puck at the net constantly and cant score, do the shot totals even matter?

[@Laststepp]

MARC ANDRE FLEURY. The man just keeps building his HoF resume.

[@johngrantner7240]

Penguins are just a better team

[@michaelgivelas8068]

Steve, Washingtons never gonna beat the pens in a playoff series ever... it doesn't matter what happens. They just won't ever do it.

[@thesuperostrich]

Michael givelas the caps actually beat the pens in a playoff series one time in the mid 1990s although they lost the next round and hardly matters at this point since pittsburghs playoff dominance over them is legendary

[@michaelgivelas8068]

Yeah I knew that already, but it's just that the pens have won 7 straight series now... omg I'm still so pissed off that the caps lost 😡😡

[@davidn1680]

you must feel like an idiot right now

[@johnappleseed8146]

LMAOOO

[@hishamsamdani6538]

Michael Givelas well a year later

[@reinkaos825]

quality of shots not quantity.

[@yeabuddy9091]

Rein Kaos true tho

[@scottwill19]

steve....the caps would never beat the pens, nevermind sweep them.

[@christianmcclaine9990]

Scott Pantera yeah pens are 9-1 in playoffs against them...history has just favored the pens for some reason

[@brendanmccormick8043]

Seeing as your talking to the sports experts im a little skeptical of your opinion.

[@djmpgh6616]

Brendan McCormick doo be doo be doooooo

[@killer25318]

stat speaking they should have and i am a pens fan we didn't play at playoff best

[@ledankclips4335]

Scott Pantera I am from Pittsburgh and they can't win(caps)

[@andrewelliott1592]

Steve, just for the record, I LOVE your videos! In my opinion, you're the people's analyst, meaning that you're down to earth, you NEVER pick the "bandwagon" teams like Milbury, Jones, and Roenick. Keep makin videos

[@FrakGaming]

I am sorry, I am a Tampa fan, I HATE Pittsburgh. I was rooting for the caps but in my opinion you are wrong. There is no way the caps win 9 of the next 10 series. If this was regular season 7 game series? Caps have a good chance at that. But in the playoffs, the caps are a joke. It's sad at this point. Year after year people say "this is the caps year, they are on fire this season" and they just can't win in the playoffs. Call it a curse or whatever but they just can't play playoff hockey.

[@kinggoten]

caps are so sharks 2.0

[@Yousemimight]

FrakGaming loosing will do that to other fans

[@upbeatmj]

When someone says that they hate the Penguins or the Steelers, I understand, even though I'm a Pittsburgh fan. Neither of them have truly been the best team in the last 10 years, but it's easy to hate a team that consistently has success, or beats your team in the playoffs. Hence why I despise Tom Brady and his Patriots. Also, note that I didn't mention the Pirates

[@dylandylan8380]

He only means on paper not actually by play.

[@matthewlempicke5280]

its ok some people hate the best and the penguins are the best

[@hossahunter22]

All the stats you give but you forget the most important 2: 1. it was the 2nd round 2. it was vs the Pens

[@predestinedbyGod]

holtby was terrible against the leafs as well

[@ianchambers881]

43 Azeem the leafs just played well, what do you mean. holtby played Amazing in that series The leafs probably could've won they got lucky

[@tufoinproductions]

can't stop everything also when your defenseman can't get the puck out of the zone both goals in game 7 they couldn't get the puck out of the zone

[@PapaJenkinz]

43 Azeem holtby wasnt terrible against the leafs lol

[@theroseexperience]

Holtby was statistically the worst goalie in the playoffs, he sucked.

[@boolikethebear]

as a pens fan, its impressive to hear you reference crosby/malkin era pens first two years in the playoffs against the sens. whether you knew, or looked up the stat, i dont care - its more impressive if you knew, so we're going to go with that one.

[@MrMcfly125]

I am glad I'm not the only one who noticed Holtbeast was rather subpar these playoffs.

[@Manima108]

Fleury might win the conne smythe and still might go unprotected if he waives his no move clause

[@christianmcclaine9990]

hello there folks why on earth would he do that if he wins a cup and a conn Smythe tho?

[@christianmcclaine9990]

That's true but I don't see him leaving Murray considering their relationship, especially if they both win a cup after each other. Fleury is just too attached to the pens

[@Manima108]

Maybe they. Work out a deal so Vegas doesn't claim either

[@christianmcclaine9990]

I sure hope so

[@tailor31415]

honestly, Tristan Jarry is a young stud goalie (hasn't transitioned to NHL yet) who will probably end up being better than Matt Murray, so the Penguins are set either way

[@tacoworld79]

I'm not a huge hockey fan, but from what I've seen this playoffs, I think Holtby is way overrated. I mean, he's not bad, just not the god-like goalie people seem to think he is

[@ryanbandi4774]

The Pens didn't get many shots this series but when we did, we made them count

[@saturdayswithmaddenmaster2282]

When he says that ended an era for the caps it just sitting in my bed 1 year later sadly remembering how they just won the cup

[@-HockeySteve94-]

Shots means nothing. it's the quality of the shots. Washington didn't have quality

[@Micelph9]

As a Leafs fan who lives in Ottawa, I CAN NOT WILL NOT cheer for the Sens EVER!!! They can't win. GO PENS!!!!!!

[@HuskyLM21]

Pens fan living in Ottawa, there's no way in hell i would ever cheer for the Sens lol

[@danyheatleyall-star3677]

Wow I don’t even live in Ottawa and I’m a sens fan

[@thesuperostrich]

Urinating tree made one funny ass congratulations video to Washington after the capitals were eliminated

[@SeventyOne4L]

The bottom six just failed to show up for the Caps, along with mediocre play by Holtby. Pens won in the end with lockdown defence and stellar goaltending

[@burgy76]

The Caps would NOT win the next 9 if the series was played again. This is the Pens and the Caps we're talking about here. In all seriousness, though, goaltending is critical in the playoffs and that's pretty much the bottom line as far as this series goes. I actually like Holtby. But Fleury, despite his ups and downs, was the better goalie, and he is more talented and capable than people give him credit for. And good for Sullivan in getting the team ready for Game 7 despite the terrible game they had before.

[@johnappleseed8146]

LOL

[@michaeldeemer6898]

Caps signed Oshie, Grubauer, Kuznetsov, Burakovsky, and Orlov. Lost Williams to Free Agency, and Schmidt to Vegas. What's a salary cap?

[@michaeldeemer6898]

And lost Johansson in a trade too.

[@mjnorman9824]

Watching this now, I'm still incredulous. Apparently the Penguins were just really, really lucky all the way to back-to-back Cups. Alrighty then.

[@logandent88]

the name of the game is outscoring your opponent, not outshooting them

[@hacks486]

Quality will almost beat quantity of depth. The Pens style of play also produces quality shots they can go up and down the ice FAST. In two possessions with Cosby you can be demoralized, like when Cosby scored twice in one minute in GAME ONE AT WASHINGTON ON THE ROAD. Crosby and Sullivan empowered and helped develop their younger counter parts. Their Leadership on ice is almost unquantifiable. Not Messier level up its up there they play confident and fast. Which is a good recipe for success. Sullivan's AHL development experience with his players has been key to their revival.

[@beckmannm]

Looking back, this was my first season watching the playoffs, and it really cemented my belief that you need so much luck to win the SC! Esp that game 7, the Pens got ALL the bounces!

[@voltingmaster5458]

This is now the 9th time the pens beat the caps in the playoffs.

[@andrewgonyea]

Volting Master And I don't think the Caps are yet to beat the Penguins in a playoffs series

[@voltingmaster5458]

Andrew G 6773 actually the capitals have beaten the Penguins in the playoffs once.

[@sofieproductions9812]

I'm a pens fan. And the only reason caps lost was because our goal tending was amazing and flower was on a role! No disrespect

[@ninjakick5570]

Pens would have sweep if Crosby didn't get injured

[@heyo4935]

Ninjakick 55 well that just doesn't make sense

[@ninjakick5570]

I'm sorry but did you watch the series ?

[@Surl9596]

Ninjakick 55 who didn't watch the series? This was the must watch series of this playoffs

[@armandb.8737]

pens won most games without crosby in these series, and lost more with him

[@ao513]

Steve, you forgot the other time the Pens and Sens met in 2013 when the Pens won 4-1 and outscored the Sens 22-11.

[@c0sselburn]

The big thing to look at is high danger shot percentage. The Pens were able to finish off their chances while MAF came up big on the back end. And while the Caps did outshoot the Pens a lot of them were relatively harmless shots straight into Fleury's body and they were playing from behind for a lot of the series.

[@mjnorman8607]

If this doesn't indicate to you that shot differential doesn't necessarily mean anything, I dunno what to say to you. Every shot on goal isn't equal, my guy.

[@jacobw1965]

Tbh pens probably gonna win it all

[@mmmmlemons]

Good take

[@Tonyisawesome610]

I think it's to the point that the Penguins could have there literal full AHL team playing, and they'd still beat the Caps, just because it is the Penguins. The name itself just beats them.

[@chesterche2828]

Terrible analysis. How can you say the capitals would beat the penguins in 9 out of 10 series, thats wild. The penguins are built like a team and use a team effort to win games to were as the capitals are full of individual talent. Malkin the past 3 years has proved to be much better than Ovechkin and Crosby cannot be considered in the same class as Ovi. The capitals are not a team and will never win the cup no matter how much power they add to their lineup

[@mmmmlemons]

This comment aged so poorly

[@mikepizzimenti2111]

When it comes to shots. Quality over quantity

[@dylanroach3022]

I don't think Washington would've won 9/10 times if this series was repeated, but I do agree that SO many bounces went against Washington. That being said, Pittsburgh did what they had to and moved on, so good on them.

[@Ortona-43]

“This team could make the playoffs next year” oh Steve...... little do you know

[@ddmath]

The Sens are not the Caps. I don't care how great everyone says Karlson is, Crosby > Karlson. It will be a series, God only knows how, because I just don't think the Sens are that good. Hey, bounces, right?

[@volcanope]

Dwayne Matheson they got outshot by the rangers so just wait for the pens offense lol

[@kpmanschannel]

There's so much that we don't see that contribute to a team effort. So many things at practice and on the flights in and out of cities that can have an effect on a team. All it takes is one small rock to come up and crack a windshield and then it only gets worse from there. I have to give respect to the Caps for giving us a run for our money. They were tough! However, they will always be in this vicious cycle of getting knocked out in round 2.

[@JoshuaBatJoshHayes]

Look at how many games where teams outshoot their opponent 40-25 and lose. There is MORE TO HOCKEY THAN PUTTING PUCKS ON THE NET. It's getting leverage in the middle of the ice- including traffic on the net - and taking advantage of core opportunities, even when it's not pretty--- and taking all of that, COMBINING sacrificing your body on defense, having solid goal tending and avoiding odd man rushes.

[@sammysawicki7657]

nice shirt Steve! (not being sarcastic) 100% genuine, really nice shirt!

[@JoshuaBatJoshHayes]

If you think for a moment the Caps were going to sweep the Pens (--- predicating that on shots --- and not offensive ice time, goal tending, opportunism, history, style of play, power play and defense, history and psychology), you clearly don't understand the grind of it or the overall matchup. The Pens didn't win outshooting teams in 16-17. If this was the first exhibit of these two teams playing, I could almost agree that the Caps maybe could/should have won this series, but given the history of this "rivalry" and other factors- just...NO.

[@bigbossgaming1858]

More shots doesn't mean a win, it's the scoring chances

[@kc4315]

Number of shots does not account for quality of shots. True that Fleury was super sharp that series. The Pens play very well as a team effort.

[@LowenTheSly]

Win lose or draw, Karlsson should win the Conn Smyth by a mile. Without him they're not even in the playoffs, never mind the conference final.

[@let88it88be]

Not really a fan of the Caps or Pens, but I got a ton of amusement watching the Caps choke away their season.

[@super6961]

Just to recap: Pens shouldn't have won and wouldn't win again because the Caps out shot them? Let's look at a heatmap of where most of the Capitals shots came from. I would say over 75% was from the blue line and low scoring percentage areas.

[@sebastianpatriksson7814]

SOG doesn't matter as long you're effective. Pens was effective, caps wasn't.

[@sammoadventures4174]

Sure the Caps beat the Pens in most categories like shots, Time on Attack, etc. but the Pens know how to succeed at the right time. They took advantage of important opportunities while the Caps were beat by Fleury.

[@williamcurry1132]

what goes in is what matters

[@logandent88]

imo a good offense scores more goals on fewer shots rather than getting 40+ shots per game

[@lucasrozmus9388]

I won't lie...caps could of won if ovi was mentally in the game The kadri hit was by far the problem with him. But I do think they will make a change

[@loganp4268]

lucas Rozmus I dont think that's mental. His knee was bothering him

[@austonmatthews7543]

lucas Rozmus he shouldn't have tried to dodge it then

[@v4vendetta37]

Logan P the past 5 seasons his production goes from a point a game down to .65 points per game Ovi doesn't play that well in the play offs Compared to his regular season play He just seems to buckle under the pressure

[@loganp4268]

v4vendetta37 90 points in 96 playoff games isn't.65 points per game...

[@v4vendetta37]

KZbin Sucks I did the math from the stats off hockeydb, hockey reference and tsn I didn't pull them out of my ass Did you want me to show you the simple math I did? Or can you figure it out

[@bavideomaker29]

Stats, stats, shots, shot attempts....you realize the Senators had a lead for like 13 minutes over six games vs the Rangers?

[@zugbrugh6472]

Pens are easily the most resilient team in the league

[@heat3622]

The pens have better defense, better goalie(s), better chemistry. Better scorers of course you have ovechkin but pens have Phil, hornquist, Sidney for the plays. I realize that you have a great team but there's a reason y they beat them in the playoffs twice in a row

[@CrispyAssasin_-td3rr]

so dissapointment to see caps get ousted lost my enjoyment for the nhl playoffs it's so tough to see them lose so upset capitals always run into a hot goaltender and are cursed in te playoffs it's the capital curse

[@JimFox-vm9rx]

Its not the quantity of the shots its the quality of the shots Double DAH! Hockey isn't about shooting the puck its about shooting the puck into the net more than your opponents. Again another Double DAH!

[@Lxne]

Caps get lost when it comes to the playoffs. If Sid never got hurt this series would have been a sweep for the Pens. Biggest factor is have as many shots as you want, weve learned from past playoff series and even champions that stats arent everything. Yes the Caps did dominate the series but the Pens showed they can weather the storm and clutch up when needed because they have the experience of doing it. To say the Caps would beat the Pens 9 out of 10 times? Thats insane for the fact that the Pens have been dominating the Caps forever at this point.

[@liamfleming6184]

Quality over quantity

[@timsherman7736]

Stat- how much time did the Caps have the lead?

[@ssfalk41]

Miss flower so much

[@jackburton806]

Perhaps you are confused about shots on goal v. scoring chances. The Caps were one shot away from getting swept and it wasn't because of the shots on goal. It takes a team effort to win or lose. You should have known that the Caps were in trouble when it took 6 games (and really 8 games when you add in the ot minutes) to beat the Leafs. Your defense is wayyyyyyy too slow; your goalie became mortal during stretches of the series; and your big ticket great ape was only most effective when he was tripping and clipping Sids head with his stick in game 3. So after the series we find out that the cromag was playing injured (booo freakin hooo) everybody is playing injured. How is it possible that in game 7 with Mr. Game 7 you can't get one puck past MAF? The off season will be a tough one for the Caps, many ufa's and I imagine 9 or 10 of the current team will not be on the team. You have some young talent in the minors and that will help with the speed but it wont be enough probably. I really doubt the team will unload Ovchoken but they really should. He clearly doesn't have what it takes to be a captain; he is a pouting child who is a defensive liability. I look forward to many years of frustration for your precious Caps; keep on rocking the DREAD.

[@manofspoons5334]

Lmao this aged horribly

[@Anthony-sj8je]

If you actually believe they would win 9/10 series after that you're clueless lol

[@SamuelDuplessis12]

Steve, I think your buddy from the old KHL videos, would be proud of you saying something in Russian

[@Quplas]

It was surprising the Capitals actually managed to take it to game 7. After it took them 6 games to get rid of the leafs, all hope was lost tbh.

[@Portman1984]

Yes, Fleury was Godly in net, but the Pens did have the second best record in the entire NHL next to the Caps and talent on both sides is pretty even on paper even with the absence of Letang and Daley. Having Crosby out for 2 games (played the first 5 min of game 3) they still showed grit and character in the face of adversity. They have better character players and more leaders that willed them to win with the talent they had. That's why the Pens consistently beat the Caps. Numbers are numbers and they don't mean much when you consider all that matters is the score at the end of the game. The Pens were better than the Caps and until Washington beats Pittsburgh in a series, that will continue to remain the same.

[@face76]

Sorry shots don't equal wins or better period. Also doesn't mean that out shot means winning 4 straight. The Pens usually get out shot. This happens more often.

[@ThePulmentinum]

IMHO Pekka Rinne is the only thing that could prevent the Penguins from winning the cup.

[@adenbenson5432]

Watching this rant about fleury being amazing the same time he just let in 4 goals in less than a period😂😂😂

[@dasteelerfan1]

Flower Power you forgot about the flower

[@danielburgess7785]

In the end the Caps never want to see the Pens in a Game 7. Rock on Penguins.

[@GodWeenSatan]

title should be "embarrassed again"

[@branflakes5173]

Just in case you didn't realize that the caps can't beat the penguins, sports net is here to tell you how they did every video after

[@johnf.6879]

Winners find a way to win...simple as that. If you look at the Pens cup run in 2016 they severely dominated in the shot department. Could have swept the Rangers, Caps and Sharks which isn't a stretch. Look at the shot totals. I think they outshot Tampa by like over 70 for the 7 game series. That doesn't always translate to wins (clearly as the Pens lost some of those games). Guys like Jones and Vasilevsky (sorry on the spelling) were playing out of their minds. Now look at this year....the Pens honestly got outplayed by CBJ, Wash and Nashville...but like I said earlier...winners find a way. They had timely goals, saves and relied on a ton on experience. You can't teach that.

[@grannas211]

Sure. Shot total = wins.

[@rosesforleo]

I love my Penguins, but even I have no idea how the Pens beat the Capitals...

[@mikep6548]

You're forgetting the part where the capitals had over half of their shots from the point.. so ya, they outshot the Penguins.. BUT it's was from forever away and had little traffic

[@loganwhetzel2069]

love when Canadiens say out or about

[@benyameenyitzhak1036]

god i wish you were a pens fan

[@illusion9966]

pens management: yeah we will let this guy go

[@DaltonPepple]

The Penguins don't need a ton of shots. We have quality chances. The Capitals were just bad.

[@jojje425]

Gotta have some clutch, to win championships

[@rowlandbuck2703]

Mark Andre Fleury happened. A hot goal tender can carry s team for awhile.

[@MPT_Productions]

The Pens have more snipers that finish than the caps the Pens are just a better time.

[@Tyler-qy6cr]

SportsNet?

[@nathanmcdonald6552]

Alright boys time to fire the puck from centre ice 75 times on net so we get more shots to win the game. Apparently it's Not about how many goals you score just how many shots you get. That's what I'm getting from this video.

[@ryangatto2003]

we've already played this series ten times pens have won 9 of them.................

[@alexhobbs6246]

"Caps should have swept this series"... "Caps would win this series 9 times out of 10"... Goes on to talk about number of shots per game for 2-3 minutes when that is a fairly rudimentary way of gauging offensive effectiveness. You lost me homie.

[@xbabbabooey]

funny thing is. shots dont matter, only goals

[@tgfinn3358]

You are shot happy.... a stat that serves your disappointment but not a hugely meaningful hockey stat at this time of year (when almost nothing goes in). Quality scoring chances were actually pretty equal. Enjoyed your video.

[@sjl7414]

Penguins are better

[@joshf2218]

Well I mean, if Kris Letang is playing and Crosby isn't out for 1.75 games of the series.. and Trevor Daley and Carl Hagelin are healthy.. I don't see Pittsburgh getting out possessed to the extent they did. So many things had to go right for Pittsburgh? Eh.. so many things went right for the Capitals and they found a way to lose.

[@ifactmachine]

Why are you putting so much emphasis on the how many shots the Caps had? It's not every single shot they took were Grade A scoring opportunities.

[@nlhyper7854]

jsaksas I agree.

[@davidn1680]

The caps won on paper and they do that 90% the games they play... In this case, it's simply that fleury was amazing, and holtby... just wasn't. Not only that, the capitals got a lot of shots but they didnt really challenge fleury throughout the whole series.. (coming from a caps fan)

[@theroseexperience]

The numbers were fine, but he goaltending was not. Once more Holtby was grossly outplayed and statistically was the worst goaltender in the playoffs. He was in a word, atrocious and was the single biggest factor in why they've lost the last 2 years against a Pens team they should have beaten. Can this guy make a save in a big game? Anyone remember the game 7 collapse against the Rangers where he let in 4 in the 1st? I can't think of a series he's been the best goaltender in since the Dale Hunter upset against the Bruins.