Penguins Report Card: Another ‘Blueprint’ Win vs. Capitals | PHN+

The game is a lot easier when your goaltender keeps pucks out of the net, even a few that probably should have lit the lamp. The Pittsburgh Penguins got loose later in the second period. Still, Jarry was ready with stacks of bail money until the team recovered and returned to their “blueprint” to beat the Washington Capitals, 3-0 at the Capital One Center.

The win was all things–a shutout, a road win, a regulation win, a win over a top division opponent, a rivalry win, and one which must force Washington to ask a few questions of itself. The Penguins won six of the eight games this season, including four in extra time and two in regulation.

The Penguins converted turnovers on Thursday. On Saturday, the Penguins methodically outplayed Washington for most of the game with speed and puck pressure.

Bryan Rust and Jeff Carter, and Kasperi Kapanen were again the dynamic Penguins in a tight slog with a playoff style. PHN asked Rust what the wins against Washington meant. He downplayed a psychological edge but did confirm the Penguins wins affirmed their blueprint to beat Washington.

“I don’t know if (the wins help) psychologically, but I think it just kind of just sets a blueprint for ourselves and how we are going to play to beat this team,” Rust said. “…things we’ve got to do in the defensive zone through the offensive zone. And I think that’s important moving forward.”

As we’ve discussed before, this Penguins team is different–much different from recent years. Goaltending, depth, and defense are a cut above where they’ve been.

Pittsburgh Penguins Chalkboard and Report Card