PITT vs WSH game 1: deja vu all over again.

The #1 and #2 teams in the NHL collided Thursday night and the #2 team won. I could say that but for a couple of slight mistakes, the Caps were the better team. They were. But they lost just the same.

This is how it went down.

Washington was pressing in the first period, but they did not convert. So, it was a shock when the second period Sidney Crosby scored two goals within a minute. Basically, the Caps allowed Crosby to skate in unopposed and take his shot. He buried them both.

Normally, a two goal deficit would be very hard to overcome, but the Caps scored once on a power play them tied the game in the third period. That's when the Caps did their third defensive error that resulted in a Pittsburg breakaway and goal.

The final 5 minutes of the game saw a tremendous pressure from the Caps. When the goalie was pulled the Caps began a continuous bombardment of the Pittsburg goal. There were bodies on the ice and Marc-Andre Fleury in goal with or without his stick. It is worth watching that sequence:

http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/marc-andre-fleury-makes-series-of-incredible-saves-to-help-penguins-stave-off-capitals-in-game-1-042717

Caps players swear that this is not "here we go again" and I think they are right. They are likely to win tonight's game. If I were in Vegas I would bet on them. But the series? The Caps have lost home ice advantage. That means they have to win one game in Pittsburgh and all their home games. Can it be done? Of course. But, they have not done it before. Chances are they will fail again.