re: 2017 NHL Playoff Thread: PENGUINS WIN THE CUP, Crosby robs Malkin of the Conn Smythe

Well, we're back to where we were last year: Game 6 in Pittsburgh, trying to claw out of a 3-1 hole.

Game 5 looked to be going the way most of the series had: the Caps against dominated possession, and had twice as many shot attempts, shots on goal, and scoring chances through two periods. The Penguins looked like the Italian national soccer team, they had parked the bus so severely. The Pens took THREE shots on goal in the 2nd (and just 10 through two). That's absurd. They completely abandoned any pretense of trying to leave their zone and play the full ice. Then again, the plan was working, as chances for the Caps dried up as well, trying to shoot through a wall of six players.

But the third period did see a slight change: the Caps played horrific defense as well, giving the Penguins more chances in a five minute stretch than they had all game. And Holtby, who had played like absolute garbage, allowing 2 goals on 10 shots, suddenly looked like a Vezina winner. Maybe he needs to see more rubber to play effectively, but the Pens more than doubled their shot totals in the third, yet Holtby turned them all away, playing his first excellent period of the entire series.

So, the question is whether that was an illusion. Because the Caps need Holtby to play well if they are going to win. And so far, aside from the 3rd period in Game 5, he hasn't.