Other than our PP time, I actually thought we outplayed them. We were skating well, with good energy. Yes, we gave up a few chances, and stunk on the PP, but I thought we were the better team. Guess I am in the minority.
We were the better team, Beags! I’m in the minority with you!!
I was there, and the whole atmosphere was different.
By comparison, to the last few regular season matches with the Hens, this one was quite vanilla, throughout, until the last half of the third period.
If you remove the “It’s Pittsburgh” stigma from the game, then it was 50-52 minutes of relatively ho-hum, semi-sloppy hockey, considering all the theoretical talent out there on the ice!
It DID, suddenly get very competitive and exciting, in last half of the third period, almost like both sides finally “REALIZED” that hey, it’s 1-1, lets DO SOMETHING!
I had an avid Hens fan sitting next to me. He loves the Caps, is a season tix holder, and cheers the Caps fervently, except when Hens are in town! He wears Backy #19 sweater, all season long, except for Hens games! (I’ll never truly understand the SOB), but he does talk an honest game.
He also thought the Caps played the better game!
I’m giving a little more praise to Rierden. Even though it’s early, I needed to see some evidence that Rierden, could make effective, and meaningfully observable changes, demonstrating that he does have his finger on the “pulse” of the team.
He has shown signs of doing just that, observing the line changes, and other subtle moves, after the pathetic Dallas loss, last Saturday. Now, getting his first 2 consecutive wins, both generally solid, relatively, when compared to the rest of our short sample of games!
Holtz looked BETTER, but not outstanding, IMO, as our D also contributed with an overall better puck management, and forcing more flow to the outside, in our defending zone.
Still too many defensive mistakes, but of a lesser magnitude, hence, less stabbing ourself in the foot. Even our passing was a slight bit more crisp. Not by much, but enough to foster an overall edge!
This was NOT an 8-7, or 7-6, loose D game, where both sides were obsessed with cheating their forwards, attempting to create multiple breakaways, as has been the recent regular season history.
This game had more of a, coaching vs coaching, feel to it, with neither side taking big risks. Rierden won in the overall!
50 minutes or so of a back and forth, call your in-laws, not too exciting game! Ending with very good, competitive hockey to finish it out, with some poetic justice from Oshie, and a significant BIG WIN!
Rush
