Penguins Robbed Twice, Revenge to Come in Game Three

Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Penguins are down 2-0 against the Washington Capitals. Unfortunately, they lost both games by one goal. Unfortunately, the refs decided not to call a clear tripping penalty when Alex Ovechkin skated in alone on Fleury.

Even though the Penguins should have won at least one game, they now have the refs on their side for two games. The only controversy that will be left will be how the Capitals won two games in the first place.

I'm not suggesting that the Capitals are a bad team, or that Alex Ovechkin isn't a great player, but I am suggesting that the refs will play a huge role in how this series plays out.

Right now, the Caps have a huge advantage because of the refs, hopefully this will change with Game Three. I don't want the game to be called for Pittsburgh to make up for the obvious penalty on Ovechkin's goal.

I do, however, want to see a series that is called competitively.

My three things to watch:

1. Evgeni Malkin

He's been sleeping during this series and most of the playoffs, just like last year. Don't expect this to continue. He will have to wake up for the Pens to have a shot in this series.

2. Simeon Varlamov

The Caps rook has stepped in nicely and has played solid through the first two games. I want to see what happens when he's in the Igloo. I haven't seen him play in a hostile environment like this and it will be interesting to see how he handles himself.

3. Referees

The refs need to stop choosing sides and call the game objectively. That is what they are paid for and they need to start doing a better job of it. I'm not going to suggest that one of them is like Tim Donaghy, but I smell something fishy on Ovechkin's late goal.

Please comment, it's my first story.