"Excuses are for losers, and we're not losers," Justin Williams.

To say the Capitals have had a tough time cracking rookie netminder, Matt Murray, is the understatement of the year.

The Penguins goalie stopped 47 shots, including 21 in the third period, to give his team the 3-2 victory despite a mild Capitals comeback that came up short.

Alex Ovechkin started the scoring for the Caps with a wicked wrister that beat Murray just over the left shoulder. Justin Williams scored with under a minute to play.

Washington outplayed the Penguins in every aspect of the game. They didn't play poorly at all, they just didn't have the puck luck that the Penguins had.

Pittsburgh's goals were scored on fluky bounces and tips by simply throwing the puck at the net and creating traffic in front of Holtby, who stopped 20 shots.

Even Carl Hagelin's goal, which incidentally I think should have been a tripping penalty as he knocked Schmidt's feet out from under him, had a bit of luck as the puck slipped passed Holtby to an over-covered Hagelin.

“I thought we played well, obviously we got beat by a couple of unlucky bounces,” Braden Holtby said. “If we stick with it, we’ll come out successful.”

Simply put, it just wasn't the Capitals night, but they played great hockey.

“I thought we played well tonight the whole game,” Alex Ovechkin said. “Goalie play well on their side, but we set the tone.”

It was Washington's game all the way, but the Penguins 3 quick goals, after a wonderful start by the Caps, was too steep a hill to climb back from.

Pittsburgh owns the series lead 2-1, but they are far from beating a Capitals team that is as hungry as ever to get passed the second round.

“We’ve got a good vibe going out of this game,” Barry Trotz said. “We’re looking forward to Game Four. Guys are excited.”

The series has taken a rough turn as well. Kris Letang was suspended just one-game for a blatant hit to the head on Marcus Johansson. Letang is lucky to have escaped with a small suspension considering his complete lack of respect for others well being this post-season. Brooks Orpik will be serving his second game of three tonight for a similar, yet, more volatile hit on Olli Maatta, who is still out.

Washington has an opportunity to break down the Penguins in this game and turn the tide for the better. Their attack has been good, but creating more chaos in front for the rookie goalie will undoubtedly be the deciding factor. Murray is good, but he is beatable. His confidence is at its peak, and the Caps have only to chisel away at it so the youngest beings to doubt himself.

That can begin tonight.

"We know we played better than we did in Games One and Two" said Justin Williams, "but to win we’re going to have to play better than we did tonight in Game Four. You come here for a split, you’re hoping for a split, and now’s our turn to earn one.”

More to come...

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