5 Keys: Penguins at Capitals, Game 5

PENGUINS AT CAPITALS
7 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS
Best-of-7 series tied 2-2
WASHINGTON-- The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to win back-to-back games in the Eastern Conference Second Round when they play the Washington Capitals in Game 5 at Capital One Arena on Saturday.

The Penguins won 3-1 in Game 4 at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday to even the series.
When a best-of-7 series is tied 2-2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 202-54 (78.9 percent), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
RELATED: [Complete Capitals vs. Penguins series coverage]
Here are 5 keys for Game 5:

1. Find open ice

This has become a tight-checking defensive series with neither team topping 24 shots on goal in either of the past two games. Both teams have top-four defensemen who can skate the puck out of trouble and make smart outlet passes. When players have an opportunity on the rush, like Washington rookie forward Shane Gersich did early in Game 4 against Penguins goalie Matt Murray, they have to take advantage.
"People always say that offense wins games but defense wins championships, right?" Pittsburgh forward Tom Kuhnhackl said. "At the end of the season, you're not going to win games 7-6. You're most likely going to win them 2-1 or 1-0."

2. Containing Crosby's line

Sidney Crosby didn't have a shot on goal in Game 4, but he has been on the ice for all 10 Pittsburgh goals in the series. He's scored twice and has four assists. The Capitals have to find a way to limit the top line of Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist, though Dominik Simon was on that line to start Game 4 instead of Hornqvist.

3. Capitals need more from top line

No complaints about the production of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But with Tom Wilson serving a three-game suspension, Devante Smith-Pelly has stepped in on right wing. He and Ovechkin were held without a shot on goal in Game 4. That has to change. Washington coach Barry Trotz said he'll start with Smith-Pelly in the same spot, but that could change if the Capitals fall behind. Jakub Vrana is a possibility, but that could be a boom-or-bust proposition given the 22-year-old's defensive limitations.
"Right now when we play, it doesn't matter who's going to be on the lines -- me or (Smith-Pelly) or (Kuznetsov) or (Vrana)," Ovechkin said. "We just have to play. It doesn't matter. It's the playoffs. You have to give everything. You don't have (time) to find chemistry right now."

4. Murray vs. Holtby

Less has been asked of the goaltenders, Murray of the Penguins and Braden Holtby of the Capitals, in the past two games because chances have been few and far between. But each is capable of stealing a game when his team is outplayed. Murray took a shot off the collarbone in Game 4 and was in some pain despite staying in the game.

5. Kessel must step up for Penguins

Penguins forward Phil Kessel didn't play the final seven minutes of Game 4, with Pittsburgh trying to protect a one-goal lead, but he hasn't seemed right for much of the postseason. Kessel had 22 points in 24 playoff games in 2016 and 23 in 25 postseason games last year, helping win the Stanley Cup each time. This year he has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 10 playoff games. Kessel could especially help on the power play; Washington' penalty-killers have allowed three goals in the past 30 opportunities, and one of those an empty netter.

Penguins projected lineup

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Dominik Simon
Carl Hagelin -- Evgeni Malkin -- Patric Hornqvist
Conor Sheary -- Riley Sheahan -- Phil Kessel
Tom Kuhnhackl -- Derick Brassard -- Bryan Rust
Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang
Jamie Oleksiak -- Justin Schultz
Olli Maatta -- Chad Ruhwedel
Matt Murray
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Matt Hunwick, Josh Jooris, Carter Rowney, Daniel Sprong, Thomas Di Pauli, Adam Johnson, Teddy Blueger, Garrett Wilson, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Lukas Bengtsson, Chris Summers, Jarred Tinordi, Andrey Pedan, Tristan Jarry, Michael Leighton
Injured: Zach Aston-Reese (broken jaw, concussion)

Capitals projected lineup

Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Devante Smith-Pelly
Chandler Stephenson -- Nicklas Backstrom -- T.J. Oshie
Jakub Vrana -- Lars Eller -- Brett Connolly
Shane Gersich -- Jay Beagle -- Alex Chiasson
Dmitry Orlov -- Matt Niskanen
Michal Kempny -- John Carlson
Brooks Orpik -- Christian Djoos
Braden Holtby
Philipp Grubauer
Scratched: Jakub Jerabek, Travis Boyd, Madison Bowey, Pheonix Copley, Nathan Walker
Injured: Andre Burakovsky (upper body)
Suspended: Tom Wilson

Status report

The Penguins had optional skates Friday in Pittsburgh and at Capital One Arena on Saturday. ... Burakovsky skated on his own after practice for the second day in a row following minor surgery last month, but is not ready to return.