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Penguins Beat Capitals 2-0, End Capitals Season

Jon Sorensen

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Wednesday night at Verizon Center. With the win, the Penguins take the series 4-3 and advance to take on the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference final.

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Marc-Andre Fleury got the start for the Penguins. The Penguins Matt Murray returned to practice and the Penguins roster, as a backup, for Game 7.

The Capitals once again went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, with Karl Alzner playing in his fifth consecutive game after returning from an “Upper Body Injury”.

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

QUICK NOTES:

FIRST PERIOD:
The Capitals opened the game with a sustained attack, registering the game’s first four shots on goal. However, the Penguins would withstand Washington’s initial onslaught without yielding a tally and would claw back into the game, registering the next five shots on goal at the 15 minute mark. The Penguins led in shots on goal 10-8 for the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD:
The Penguins would notch the game’s first tally as a result of a defensive zone turnover by the Capitals. Bryan Rust would provide the finisher at 8:49 of the middle frame.

The Capitals’ offensive push intensified in the last 10 minutes of the period, but they would be unable to even the score. The Caps outshot the Penguins 15-7 for the second period and led 23-17 after two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD:
The Penguins would stretch the lead to 2-0 with a goal by Patric Hornqvist at 4:14 of the final frame.

The Penguins would settle in to a prevent defense at midway through the period, stifling any significant offensive surge by the Capitals. The Penguins would hold on for the win and take the series 4-3.

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROM VERIZON CENTER:

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