Caps Blank Penguins

By Rodger M. WoodThe Caps played tough two way hockey for three periods to shut out arch rival Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 in their own version of the Super Bowl at the Verizon Centre Sunday afternoon.While the Penguins had difficulty mounting any offensive attack without star centers Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who were on the sidelines with injuries,the Caps, spurred on by the aggressive play of its second, third, and fourth lines, sent wave upon wave of offensive attackers on Penguin goalie Marc- Andre Fleury, who had to resort to acrobatics to keep the puck from going into the net.Taking advantage of the Penguins not covering up the point, Brooks Laich, assisted by defenseman John Erskine’s slap slot, scored the go ahead and eventual game winning goal at the 18:22 mark of the first period.Center Marcus Johansson victimized the Penguins with a flashy shorthanded goalwhich gave the Caps a 2-0 lead early in the second period.Mike Knuble’s pay off for an injured face and hard work was an empty netter at the end of the game to make the final score 3-0.In his first start since January 18th, Caps Michael Neuvirth blanked the Pens with 22 saves for the Caps first Penguins shutout at home since 1990 – 1991 season.The win didn’t come without any costs as Caps all star defenseman Mike Green took a shot in the head near the end of the first period. While Green said it was only a cut, he didn’t return to the ice in the second period and was under doctor’s observation Monday.The Penguin/Capitals rivalry became even more heated when Penguins Matt Cooke, who has a reputation for dirty play, tried to take Ovie out in the third period with a leg check.Hats off to Caps Matt Bradley for trying to get a piece of Cooke in the last minute of play, but unfortunately, he will have to wait until the end of upcoming road trip before he can exact due process.Earlier in the third period, engaging him in a wrestling match, Wilkes Barre call up Tim Wallace fought Caps David Steckel in an obvious attempt to make Steckel pay for an accidental blind side hit on Sydney Crosby in the Winter Classic.The Caps return to the ice against Pacific Division second place San Jose at home Tuesday night.

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