Capitals Beat Penguins 2-1 (OT); Advance to Conference Finals

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 (OT) in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Capitals win the series 4-2 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They will face the Tampa Bay Lightning beginning this Friday in Tampa.

After a scoreless first, the Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from Alex Chiasson early in the middle frame, but the Penguins Kris Letang would answer for a 1-1 score at the second intermission. After a scoreless third period, Evgeny Kuznetsov won it in overtime.

STARTERS
Braden Holtby (7-3, 2.16 GAA, .924 sv%) started between the pipes for the Capitals. Matt Murray (6-5, 2.49 GAA, .905 sv%) started in goal for the Penguins. The Capitals starting forward lines and defensive pairs for Game 6:

Forward lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Stephenson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Connolly-Boyd-Smith-Pelly
Walker-Beagle-Chiasson
Defensive pairs:
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos

Scratches: Tom Wilson (suspension, Game 3 of 3), Nicklas Backstrom (right hand), Andre Burakovsky (upper body injury), Shane Gersich, Madison Bowey, Pheonix Copley and Jakub Jerebek.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals and Penguins skated a tentative start to the opening from, with the Capitals leading shots on goal 3-2, with 8:35 remaining in the first period.

The first period would end 0-0. The Capitals outshot the Penguins 7-6 for the first 20 minutes. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would open the scoring with a goal from Alex Chiasson at 2:13 of the middle frame. Nathan Walker was credited with the primary helper.

The Penguins would tie the game with a goal from Kris Letang at 11:52 of the middle frame.

The period would end with the game tied 1-1. Pittsburgh outshot Washington 9-8 for the middle frame, with shots on goal tied 15-15 through two periods of play. There were no penalties called in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals and Penguins returned to somewhat tentative play to begin the final stanza. The Capitals led shots on goal 7-3 with 5:33 remaining in regulation, and the game still tied 1-1.

The third period would end without a score. The Capts outshot the Penguins 9-5 for the final frame. There were no penalties called.

OVERTIME
The Capitals win it overtime with a goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov. First, the call from the great John Walton.

The Canadian feed -“The march of the Penguins is over”.

Alex Ovechkin’s post-series interview:

Capitals mic’d up:

SHAVINGS

With Nathan Walker and Travis Boyd making their playoff debut in their rookie season, the Capitals have now played seven rookies this postseason, the most in a single postseason in franchise history.
The NHL box score is here.

SCENES FROM PITTSBURGH

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About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.

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