WASHINGTON -- The Capitals are the best team in the NHL.
Until they face this tantalizing, transformational version of the Penguins and fall yet again, as happened by a 4-3 count Thursday night at the Verizon Center on this Sidney Crosby overtime breakaway:
Braden Holtby, owner of 47 wins, is the best goaltender in the NHL.
Until the Penguins undress him, as they have via nine goals over the past two meetings.
Alexander Ovechkin, owner of 47 goals, is the best scorer in the NHL.
Until he faces the Penguins, who held him without a goal -- no, without a point -- over the full five-game season series.
Yeah, Washington's hockey team, owner of 55 wins, the Presidents' Trophy and perhaps unprecedented expectations here to finally raise the Stanley Cup, is all that and more.
Until their archnemesis shows up.
To continue reading, log into your account:
