Perhaps it's a leap of faith, but I expect the Capitals and their star goalie, Braden Holtby, to respond strong in Game 3 in Pittsburgh with their season on the brink after losing the first two games of this series at home.

Holtby hasn't looked good He was pulled in the Capitals' last game after giving up three goals on 14 shots through two periods this past Saturday. But he's a great goalie with a history of responding well after getting yanked. Holtby was lifted in four games this season for poor performances. He went 3-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage in his following game.

It's not just Holtby. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is having a horrible series. He's due to play better. Even though the Capitals are 0-2 in the series, they have had twice as many shot attemps as the Penguins.

Washington has won five of its last six road games and also is 39-12 the past 51 times when playing on one day's rest.

Pittsburgh is banged-up. The Penguins' depth could be tested again if right wingers Patric Hornqvist and Tom Kuhnhack can't play. Defenseman Ron Hainsey also is questionable