Sid-Ovi sequel doesn't equal original

PITTSBURGH -- Because the sequel is rarely as good as the original, it should come as no surprise that Sid and Ovi Part 2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs didn't play to the same rave reviews as the first installment in 2009.
"Sorry to disappoint," Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said half-heartedly while smiling following a 4-3 series-clinching overtime win against the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Tuesday.

Crosby's in-series matchup with Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin never really panned out, and it certainly didn't come close to the thrilling show they put on seven years ago, when Ovechkin had eight goals and 14 points in seven games and Crosby had eight goals and 13 points. They each had a hat trick in Game 2.
"It's not even the same thing, to be honest," Crosby said. "I think you'd be hard-pressed to replicate that [from 2009]. Trust me, I'd love to have however many goals in the series, whatever it was, seven or eight. I think that's tough. No series is the same. Different things happen."

Ovechkin won the production battle this year, finishing with seven points on two goals and five assists, tying Penguins left wing Carl Hagelin for the most points for any player in the series. Four of his points came on the power play.
Crosby had no goals and two assists, but his team won the series, just as it did in 2009, when the Penguins beat the Capitals in seven games to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
It took Pittsburgh six games to eliminate Ovechkin and the Capitals this time. Crosby and the Penguins will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference final.
"I don't think you see too many things repeat like that," Crosby said, referring to the 2009 series. "Different teams, different personnel, but we're happy we won it."