The Penguins won based on one line, and one line alone. None of these three players were Penguins before this year. All of them were key not just to game 6 but throughout the series, and it showcases that even without the depth some other teams have, the Penguins are able to conquer based on bright stars and based on defensive strategy. Mike Sullivan is a strong coach who has turned this team around since being hired, and all credit goes to him for getting the Penguins even this far, but on the ice it’s the line of Kessel-Bonino-Hagelin leading the charge.

Phil Kessel scored two goals. Both Hagelin and Bonino scored one. The Capitals defense made stupid mistakes throughout this series, and were not able to slow down this line in Game 6. That’s who the blame rests on Capitals fans. Not Ovechkin, who performed admirably and really is trying. Not Holtby, who held the Capitals in the game and allowed them to get to OT. Not Backstrom or Oshie, who were also trying. The blame rests on the defense, and especially Brooks Orpik. He got suspended in the series and also got a double minor penalty, both minors of which the Penguins scored on.

The PK simply wasn’t there for the Capitals. The five-on-five also needs to improve. When you function based on goaltending and power plays like the Capitals did throughout all of this year, you are able to be beaten in the playoffs. While the Penguins did allow power play goals in this series, throughout each game, they were more successful at stopping the man advantage. When the power play scores on 2/5 chances, that’s six minutes (at least) where the power play did not score. The Penguins realized this and their offense was enough to overpower not only the best goaltender this year in Braden Holtby but what should have been a good defense in Washington.

What this means is that Washington will be looking for two things this summer – a defenseman who can come not make stupid mistakes and can play consistently and solidly – someone like Dan Hamhuis or Kris Russell – as well as a net front presence, because part of the problem was Matt Murray was able to see every puck and was therefore able to stop most of them. Someone like Andrew Shaw (god forbid) could come in, provide a screen, and allow Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Oshie the ability to shoot unseen. And with Stan Bowman dicking around on his contract, Andrew Shaw may actually be available.

The Penguins are a good team, with solid depth now. They need their stars to show up – I don’t recall seeing Evgeni Malkin on the scoreboard this series – but if that happens, Tampa could be in trouble. Although I doubt the Penguins are able to overcome a much more playoff ready, consistent, able to score in every aspect of the game Lightning. Especially one that gets Stamkos back.