Jekyll & Hyde: Penguins Bruised, Battered by Capitals in 6-3 Loss

The Penguins had a chance in last night's game against Washington to win 2 games in a row for the first time since November.

To continue getting their confidence and game back against a big and emotional rival.

To show the Capitals demonstrative forwards Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin that they should think before they speak and act.

All the Penguins did was prove their mediocrity -- and get hurt doing it.

The Penguins played with Washington for 2 periods, but watched their defensive play, and the game, evaporate in the final frame of a 6-3 loss, to leave them at 2-8 in their last 10 games.

Pittsburgh must have left their new 1-2-2 system -- which they played so well the night before -- in Philadelphia, because the Penguins struggled defensively all over the ice to the tune of 42 shots against. They either were hardly able to set up in the neutral zone, or just lost their bearings and didn't play that system at all.

You just can't give up that many chances to a good offensive team and expect to win.

Alexander Ovechkin played nothing like he did the last time these 2 teams met. In that game, he ran at Penguins' center Evgeni Malkin all over the ice and didn't produce a point. Last night, he ignored Malkin -- and in fact, was hit by #71 a few times -- and scored 3 points, including 2 goals (although one was power play garbage and the other a lucky bounce of Penguins' defenseman Ryan Whitney's skate). What he also did, however, was taunt the Penguins' players and bench like an immature baby after scoring.

Clearly, Ovechkin is a demonstrative goal-scorer. I see nothing wrong with his excitement on the ice, but you'll quickly lose respect around the league if you start taunting the opposition. Even though there was a lot at stake last night in the Penguins/Capitals rivalry, respect the game.

As I mentioned above, this loss hurt the Penguins in more ways than just in the standings, as they suffered several injuries of the game, some of which may end up quite meaningful, starting with the left knee injury suffered by Captain Sidney Crosby in the third period when he got caught up along the boards with Capitals' forward David Steckel. He didn't return to the game and afterwards, said he didn't think it was "too bad", even if it hurt a lot when it happened.

Crosby also went to the locker room briefly earlier in the game after seemingly injuring his right ankle. He missed a shift or two then returned and didn't seem to show any ill effects from that incident.

Center Max Talbot also left the game in the third period with an apparent shoulder injury dragging his arm down to his side after an innocuous looking play when he dove for the puck to try and get it out of the Penguins' zone, but didn't appear to make contact with anyone. Talbot's injury could end up being the most significant.

Defenseman Rob Scuderi, the Penguins' best penalty-killer, also left the game in the 2nd period after taking a puck to the head. Scuderi was bleeding on the ice and needed stitches after the game. He did not return.

The status of all 3 players will not be known until today. If they can't play in the Penguins next game Friday against the Anaheim Ducks, they'll join an ever-growing injured list which also still includes Pascual Dupuis, Mike Zigomanis, Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Gonchar.

There is some good news on Gonchar, however. He has been cleared to practice this afternoon with the team. His return is likely still weeks away, but it appears as if he'll return to the ice sometime in early February, which would be approximately 5 months after the Penguins' first preseason game when he was injured.

Although one can't quantify what type of boost having Sarge back would give to the team down the stretch, the Penguins might not have a playoff run to make if they keep playing like they did last night.

Updates later today or tomorrow from the infirmary.