But the Capitals' breakthrough Saturday might be a sign their luck is about to change.
The Capitals say don't care about the past. The Presidents' Trophy winners responded with a three-goal barrage over the final 20 minutes that extended their season. Only twice during the regular season did Pittsburgh lose when entering the third with a lead. "That's why we practice all summer, that's why we play 82 games, for those moments".
From his customary spot on the right half-wall, Nicklas Backstrom carried up toward the blueline, but released the puck back down low, to Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was manning the goal line spot off the right post where Marcus Johansson normally operates.
Perry scored 6:57 into the second OT after the Ducks rallied from a three-goal deficit in the final minutes of regulation, completing a spectacular 4-3 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oilers and seizing a 3-2 lead in their second-round playoff series.
"I think it's frustrating when you've got an opportunity like this to win a game and win a series at home and you don't play the way that you'd like; you can get frustrated", Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan said.
Yes, the Capitals were ousted in this same round in this same game, the sixth of the series, to this same Penguins' team a year ago. In fact, it hasn't even really been all that close.
Washington's top line leads the way to a season-saving Game Six win; Burakovsky, Backstrom, Oshie, Kuznetsov and more in Scott Cullen's Statistically Speaking. But modern medicine be damned, they suited up for Game 5 in Washington.
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There are two schools of thought on how to score on a high-volume shot-blocking team, and the Capitals have been trying to figure how to balance those philosophies. Washington's dominance when both teams are at full strength has manifested itself in the shots on goal totals, which are tilted heavily in the Capitals' favor.
Pittsburgh ended the night with a mere 18 shots on net, and it has yet to surpass 30 shots on goal in any of the six games to date in the series.
Andre Burakovsky, Capitals - Much of the burden to produce has fallen on the Caps' stars - rightly so - but it sure helps when key depth scoring comes from a guy like Burakovsky, who chipped in with his second and third goals of the postseason.
The Penguins' best likely would include more scoring chances. So there was a little bit of frustration. The team from Pittsburgh couldn't finish, however.
With a 2.49 goals-against average, Braden Holtby hasn't exactly been bad during these playoffs. So, given how much pressure the Capitals have been putting on Fleury and the Penguins' defense, it seemed only a matter of time before Washington's offense was the difference-maker in an outing. "Since Game 3 (when the Capitals also won in Pittsburgh), we've had a sense of calmness about what we're doing". Marc-Andre Fleury had been outstanding while Braden Holtby's play had been lacking, roles that have reversed as the series has gone along. Actually getting pucks past the Pittsburgh netminder could be a different story, however.
EXPERIENCED BLUESHIRTS: New York is facing elimination for the first time in these playoffs on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, and coach Alain Vigneault hopes the collective experience serves his team well. Heading into Game 7, now would be a good time for Lars Eller and Jay Beagle to pick up their first goal. Burakovsky drives to the net and Fleury looks like he's got the short-side locked up but the puck gets lifted on through somehow. The problem is that with how many shots they bleed every game it doesn't allow Fleury to have an off night.
No Penguins forward put more than two shots on goal, and Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel managed one each.
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