Special teams again prove to be anything but special: Penguins beat Capitals 5-3
The Washington Capitals made their way up to Pittsburgh on no rest to play the Penguins in the back half of a back-to-back. Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby met in head-to-head action for the 74th time in their careers during the regular season.
Crosby immediately left his stamp on the matchup, scoring twice on back-to-back power plays to put the Penguins up two goals. Old friend Anthony Mantha put the Pens up three early in the second period. The Capitals then rattled off three unanswered goals from Dylan Strome, Rasmus Sandin, and Tom Wilson to tie the game.
Bryan Rust scored the third power-play goal of the game for the Penguins to put them back in front. Connor Dewar hits the empty net.
Penguins beat Capitals 5-3
- The Capitals looked tired to start the game, and while that’s expected in a back-to-back, you can’t just use that as an excuse the entire season, or you’re going to lose a whole ton of games. I thought neither penalty that the Penguins scored on was a good call, but it’s not like the Caps played any better at five-on-five.
- Can we talk about the random horn in the middle of play before the first Penguins goal, though? We received no explanation for that, and it looked like the Capitals were going to make a clear shorthanded. Instead, play is stopped, and the Pens go back down the ice and score. Don’t love that.
- I know the power play scored against the Blues, but it was another goal that pinballed off Tom Wilson and in. You can score that sort of goal in any game context. We’ve yet to see the Capitals really score a bang-bang type goal that you only see a team manage while up a man. In my opinion, the power play is still terribly slow and painful to watch, and there doesn’t seem to be any new ideas. Am I overreacting, chat?
- You can’t ask for much more in the second half of that second period. The Capitals just poured it on and got this game tied after going down three goals. Alex Ovechkin, who notched two assists, and Dylan Strome, who had a point on all three goals, led the way. See what happens when the Caps just don’t ever play on the power play?
- Charlie Lindgren really needs to make a save on Anthony Mantha’s goal, though. Well, he needed to make the save before Mantha put the puck in…you get what I mean. Lindgren has not been good since he started the season with a shutout. That was no different tonight, but he was also apparently playing banged up. Something to keep an eye on.
- Rasmus Sandin has shown how important he is to the team’s lineup in these two games since his return from injury. He adds a level of dynamism that is certainly missed with him out, and he now has four points (1g, 3a) in his last five games.
- I thought Ryan Leonard had another really nice game. I wish he were getting the same sort of trust and opportunity that Benjamin Kindel is getting from the Penguins, but I know the two teams aren’t exactly in the same stages of roster construction. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if Leonard earns himself a promotion in the lineup at some point on this road trip.
- The third was just fine. Not enough to earn a point, but the five-on-five play wasn’t at fault in this loss.
- Did I mention that I hate the power play? What in the world was that first power play in the third period? Just horrendous and momentum-sapping. Strome then took a penalty on their next power play that led to a third Penguins power-play goal. Special teams just unacceptably terrible to start this season.
- Zero communication from Martin Fehervary and John Carlson on Pittsburgh’s game-winning goal. Both defenders casually peeling around the net to end up on the same side while killing a penalty. Carlson’s turnover right before that was brutal, too.
The Capitals are staying on the road for their next three games, starting with a trip to Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Visits to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers follow. Tough stretch.
Aaron Judge Defends Taylor Swift, Takes a Stand Against Kim Kardashian’s Criticism
Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees, has become an unexpected hero for Swifties after standing up to defend Taylor Swift against Kim Kardashian’s criticism of the singer’s dance moves in her music video for
The controversy erupted when Kardashian publicly mocked Swift’s choreography in the video, quickly sparking a social media firestorm. Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, swiftly mobilized, expressing their discontent with Kardashian’s remarks. Amid the growing backlash, Judge took to social media to speak out in support of Swift, calling Kardashian’s comments "unwarranted" and "unnecessary."
“It’s disappointing to see someone of Kim Kardashian’s stature criticize Taylor Swift, who’s not only an incredible artist but a role model to so many,” Judge tweeted. “There’s no need for the negativity, especially when it comes to something as subjective as art and self-expression. Taylor’s dance moves are iconic, and it’s time we respect her creative choices.”
Judge’s tweet immediately captured the attention of Swift’s fans, who were thrilled to see him speak out in defense of the pop star, especially given the high-profile nature of the feud between Swift and Kardashian. Swifties, many of whom already admired Judge for his leadership and talent on the field, were ecstatic to see him take a stand in this celebrity drama.
The timing of Judge’s response couldn’t have been better, as the online debate had been spiraling out of control, with Kardashian’s comments fueling a storm of negative reactions. Judge’s intervention helped calm the chaos, with many fans expressing their gratitude for his support.
“Aaron Judge just won over Swifties everywhere,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Finally, someone standing up for Taylor in a world full of unnecessary drama.”
The feud between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian dates back to their highly publicized conflict involving Kanye West, and Kardashian’s recent comment only seemed to deepen the divide. However, Judge’s defense of Swift has offered a fresh perspective, reminding fans of the importance of standing up for what’s right, no matter the celebrity.
“I’ve always been a fan of Taylor’s music, and her work is beyond critique,” Judge continued in a follow-up tweet. “She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and the last thing we should be doing is tearing her down.”
Swifties flooded social media to show their appreciation for Judge’s comments, making it clear that his support had earned him a special place in their hearts. His words have solidified his status not only as a beloved athlete but also as someone who understands the importance of kindness and respect, even in the face of celebrity drama.
Judge’s defense of Swift has reminded fans that standing up for what’s right — and supporting one another — is far more important than fueling the flames of negativity. In a world that often seems dominated by celebrity conflicts, Judge’s powerful words have provided a welcome breath of fresh air.
