Kuznetsov: Caps 'have lots of balls' for forcing Game 6

The quotes are flying ahead of a huge Game 6 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.

Down 3-2, Washington faces elimination again after responding in Game 5 to send the series back to Pittsburgh, despite being written off before that contest.

"Seventy-five percent of people said we were going to lose (Game 5), right?" Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov asked, according to CSN's Chuck Gormley. "We have lots of balls in this locker room."

A big game from Kuznetsov - who has only one goal and one assist during the playoffs - would go a long way in forcing a Game 7 on Thursday. His only point against the Penguins - that assist - came in Washington's Game 2 loss.

"As a coach, you stay positive, show him all the good things he's doing with the puck," Barry Trotz said about his leading scorer during the regular season, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski.

Trotz has to be hoping Kuznetsov puts the puck in the back of the net Tuesday.

The Capitals also have Justin Williams, who's proven rather adept at Game 7s throughout his career.

Meanwhile, the Penguins don't want to go back to Washington.

"We have to end the series here," said defenseman Olli Maatta, according to Sportnet's Chris Johnston. Maatta's expected to play but officially remains a game-time decision.