Capitals keeping first line intact against Penguins in Game 5

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Washington Capitals' top line of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Devante Smith-Pelly will remain together for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).
They did not have a great showing in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 that evened the best-of-7 series 2-2.

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"They've just got to be better," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "That group has produced before. They just have to be better."

The Capitals have received great production in the Stanley Cup Playoffs from Ovechkin, with 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 10 games; Kuznetsov, with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 10 games; and Tom Wilson, with seven points (two goals, five assists) in nine games.
Smith-Pelly has three points (two goals, one assist) in 10 games; he replaced Wilson, who will serve the second of a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese in the second period of Game 3.
"We've just got to get on the forecheck more and throw the puck more. Overall, just play better," Smith-Pelly said. "We haven't practiced together or anything like that, but we've just got to figure it out on the fly. We have no choice."
Ovechkin did not have a shot on goal for the first time in a playoff game since Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Rangers. Smith-Pelly also had no shots on goal; Kuznetsov had five.

"Obviously it was not the best game for our line, but we move forward," Ovechkin said. "We just have to play simple. We just have to make more simple plays in their zone, don't try to give up odd-man rushes or make mistakes in the neutral zone."
Trotz said he wasn't concerned with Ovechkin's lack of shots.
"You've got to start with the puck first," Trotz said after practice Friday. "[Ovechkin] will get his opportunities. There's not too many times that he doesn't get shots on net. I think a couple times, he tried the extra move. The most dangerous thing with Alex is his shot, so put your shot in play and then go from there."
The Capitals will adjust lines if necessary.
"Right now, it doesn't matter who's going to be on the line, me, [Smith-Pelly] or [Kuznetsov] or whatever," Ovechkin said. "We just have to play. It doesn't matter. We just have to give everything."