Key intangible stat: Ovechkin had seven shots on goal and 10 total shot attempts along with three hits. Crosby had two shots on goal and three attempts. He won 11 of 22 faceoffs and was in front of the net when Hornqvist scored the winner.
Best moment: Crosby picked up his first point of the series on defenseman Trevor Daley's goal at 9:16 of the first period that tied the game at 1-1. Crosby, who talked Wednesday morning about the importance of his line getting better zone entries, played a big role in the picture- perfect zone entry that led to the goal. He got the puck from left wing Conor Sheary and had speed going into the offensive zone before passing it off to Hornqvist. Crosby kept going to the net and was there for the screen when Daley, who got the puck from Hornqvist, put a shot on net that went in. Crosby got an assist.
Crosby also had a scare in the third period when he had to leave the ice after getting slashed by Ovechkin. Crosby thrashed his stick off the walls as he walked down the tunnel, presumably to get treatment in the area where Ovechkin slashed him. He returned a few minutes later.
Series stat line (goals-assists-points): Ovechkin 1-2-3; Crosby 0-1-1
Ovechkin said it: "I think this team has lots of character. Last year, we were winning 3-1 and we lost the series [to the New York Rangers], so we have to take that experience and turn it around our way. I think it [stinks]. We wanted to tie the series, but overall I think we have to play our game."
Crosby said it: "I think it's all about what you do with the opportunity. We put ourselves in position to close it out in Game 5, and everybody knows it's going to be the most difficult one, the most challenging one, and that's the way it goes. But we're in that position, we've gotta do something with it now."
