The Penguins defense has come up big several times in this series. Matt Murray has come up big constantly. The Penguins are definitely looking at a replacement for Fleury, and maybe one of the best goaltenders in the league moving forward. And that’s coming in a series where the opposing netminder is the probable Vezina winner.

The Penguins offense came away with some ugly goals. But goals are goals, and that’s the only way they’re sneaking anything past Holtby. Hornqvist’s deflection and Hagelin’s rebound were the Penguins offense knowing where to be and when. Kuhnhackl’s goal was a real life Goon goal. I always like those, and Kuhnhackl scoring with his back is hilarious… for everyone not in Washington. For fans of the Capitals, it’s another nail in the coffin.

Washington has a problem. It’s like how San Jose (hopefully) used to be. They’re a good enough team to get through the playoffs, but they come into second round series and choke. This Capitals team is definitively better than the Penguins. But they’re making mistakes and not stepping up. Orpik is one of the Capitals’ better defensemen and he’s lost for what may be the remainder of the series. The only Capital stepping up offensively is Ovechkin.

That needs to change if the Capitals want to get back in this series. Ovechkin is a great forward, one of, if not the, best snipers in the world. But he’s not a one man team. He’s not Patrick Kane (Kane is a better all around forward). The two goals came from Ovechkin doing what he does best – shooting the puck. If he doesn’t hit the post on the second goal, the Capitals don’t have two. Murray’s not been giving up a ton of rebounds. He’s not giving away free opportunities. It’s what the Capitals force down his throat, and the only guy with a spoon is Ovechkin. They pay Backstrom, Williams, Kuznetsov and Johansson for these moments, and they’re not coming through.

The Capitals back half of the line up also has to step up. Their depth is not showing like the Penguins is. I had no idea who Kuhnhackl was until two nights ago. That’s depth. Bonino, Kessel, and Hagelin being on one line is depth. Where is Washington’s?

I know Barry Trotz is a great coach – the President’s trophy proves such. But a President’s trophy is not enough for this team. Crosby has his cup. If Ovechkin retires without one, it is not for lack of talent on the team.

Now that he’s out of the playoffs, maybe Trotz can call up an old rival, famous for a mustache, for tips on how to outcoach a rival. If anybody’s gonna get these Capitals through the playoffs, it’s help from a 3 cup winner.