WASHINGTON -- They knew it was coming, this attack from the Washington Capitals. The Pittsburgh Penguins talked about it, prepared for it and accepted it as fact before it became reality Saturday, because they know teams facing elimination tend to play with desperation unseen before in the series.
The Penguins' problem is they fueled the Capitals' attack with their own blunders and bad penalties. They beat themselves as much as the Capitals beat them.
Mistakes, lack of discipline cost Penguins in Game 5
Needless penalties, key turnovers help breathe new life into Capitals
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