Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 Monday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Caps’ win forces a Game 7 Wednesday night at Verizon Center. Puck drop is 7:30 pm. 

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Marc-Andre Fleury got the start for the Penguins.

The Capitals went with 7 defensemen, with Karl Alzner playing in his fourth consecutive game after returning from an “Upper Body Injury” in Game 6 of the series.

Paul Carey, Brett Connolly, and Taylor Chorney were the healthy scratches. 

QUICK HITS:

• With his first period assist, Nicklas Backstrom tied Scott Stevens (22) for second place on the Capitals postseason power-play assists list.
• The Penguins offense was stifled through the first 20 minutes, registering just 8 shots on goal through the first two periods of play.
• Nicklas Backstrom earned two points (1g, 1a), marking his third multi-point game of the series and fifth of the postseason.
• Andre Burakovsky scored two goals, marking his second consecutive multi-point game (5/6 vs. PIT: 1g, 1a) and his second career postseason multi-goal game (5/6/15 vs. NYR: 2g).
• Jay Beagle won 11 of 15 faceoffs (73.3%).
• With their win tonight, Washington has forced a Game 7 after trailing a series 3-1 for the fourth time in franchise playoff history (1988 vs. PHI, 2008 vs. PHI, 2009 vs. NYR).

FIRST PERIOD:
The Capitals would strike first with a power play goal by T.J. Oshie at the 12:41 mark of the opening frame. The shot was setup by nice puck movement up top by Nicklas Backstrom and a beautiful feed from Evgeny Kuznetsov for the Oshie goal.

The call by John Walton:

The period would end with the Capitals leading 1-0. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 11-3 for the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD:
The Capitals would stretch their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Andre Burakovsky at 6:36 of the middle frame.

The goal was setup by strong board play by Burakovsky, taking control of the puck before driving for the goal.

The call by John Walton:

The Capitals continued to stymie the Penguins offensively, allowing just 6 shots on goal through 35 minutes of play. The Capitals would stifle a Penguins power play midway through the period, which drew boos from the Pittsburgh crowd.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. Shots on goal were tied 5-5 for the middle frame. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 16-8 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD:
The Capitals would stretch the lead to 3-0 just 16 seconds into the final frame with a goal by Nicklas Backstrom.

John Walton with the call:

On the play, Evgeny Kuznetsov was cheapshotted by the Penguins Ryan Rust. Kuznetsov would leave the ice, but return later in the period.

The Capitals would add another power play goal, this time John Carlson would blast one from the left dot for the decisive goal.

John Walton:

Andre Burakovsky would add another nail to the coffin at 12:29 of the final frame.

John Walton:

The Penguins would add two late goals during 4-on-4 play at 16:38 and 17:30 of the final frame. The Capitals would hold on for the 5-2 win, forcing a Game 7 on Wednesday night at Verizon Center. The final call from John Walton:

Mic'd Up: Game 6
Listen in as the #Caps faced off against the Penguins in a crucial Game 6 matchup in Pittsburgh.#CapsPens #RockTheRed https://t.co/SE30wy22a1

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 10, 2017

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM PITTSBURGH:

Let’s go! #CapsPens#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/5dvaLEAbv3

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 9, 2017