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Posted at 2:00 PM EST.

7:15 PM EST. OT included. Through the first three games of this series, the Penguins looked like they had finally hit the wall after a pair of deep playoff runs that ended in back-to-back Stanley Cups. However, Game 4 was a totally different story, as the Pens showed up and dictated the pace of play. Pittsburgh dominated puck possession and finished with nine high danger scoring chances to the Capitals three in that 3-1 victory. Forward Jake Guentzel has carried the Pens on his back so far in these playoffs and after his empty-netter sealed the deal on Thursday night, he became the first player since Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier in 1988 to score 20 points in 10 or fewer playoffs games. Goaltender Matt Murray, who shutout the Flyers twice in Round 1 appears to be back on track as well after allowing just one goal on 21 Washington shots.

Washington had the Penguins dead to rights headed into Game 4, but let the defending champs off the hook. Now, the Caps should be shaking in their skates as the Pens have played some of their best hockey on the road in these playoffs. All the pressure is on Washington here, as they try to delay what seems like the inevitable collapse. Many in the market predicted this would be the year that Washington finally got over the hump with these Penguins and we can understand that they might have some appeal tonight with a very strong home record over the last few seasons, but the momentum is no longer on the Caps' side. That they have been the better team through four games and only have a split to show for it cannot be lost on Washington. We questioned the Capitals depth before this series began and the loss of Tom Wilson to a suspension was certainly noticeable in Game 4. Washington is lucky that T.J. Oshie didn't suffer the same fate after a targeted hit to the head of Kris Letang went unnoticed in the last game, but the NHL is far more concerned with punishing the results of a dirty play rather than the act itself. Oshie called Wilson's suspension 'extreme', but after trying to decapitate Letang and getting off scot-free, we'll call it even. The Caps have been undisciplined all playoffs and have taken eight penalties over the last two games. The Pens had the top power play this season and the more chances you give them, the worse off its going to be. Washington hasn’t paid for its undisciplined style and now that the Pens are healthy and Washington didn’t put them away, the Caps will pay for all their shortcomings here. Very rarely does one give a team like Pittsburgh new life and live to tell about it.

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