Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates after scoring the game-winning third period goal Thursday night. But Washington had struggled to protect leads in its first-round series against Columbus, and that bad habit followed the Capitals into Game 1 against the Penguins. He caught another break when Guentzel’s shot on the first shift of the second period caromed off the cross bar. In-game analysisFinal: Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Washington Capitals 2A disastrous third period doomed Washington, which lost home-ice advantage and failed to take advantage of two key Pittsburgh absences. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/UQTzuyry7J — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 26, 2018Pittsburgh’s penalty kill could decide this series: Washington has one of the best power-play units in the NHL.

Source: Washington Post April 26, 2018 16:28 UTC