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Capitals trump Penguins in OT to advance to conference finals

The Associated Press

May 8, 2018, 7:35 AM

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Braden Holtby, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Matt Niskanen, Jakub Vrana Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) celebrates with Evgeny Kuznetsov (92), Jakub Vrana (13), Alex Ovechkin, top center, and Matt Niskanen (2) after Kuznetsovs' game-winning goal during the overtime period in Game 6 of an NHL second-round hockey playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Monday, May 7, 2018. The Capitals won the game 2-1 to take the series, four games to two. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeny Kuznetsov’s breakway goal 5:27 into overtime gave the Washington Capitals a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 on Monday night, and a berth in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 20 years.

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Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and company rewrote the script a bit this time around: Washington is moving on after ousting the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in six games. Here’s an updated history lesson.

Kuznetsov took a lead pass from Alexander Ovechkin and tucked the puck by Matt Murray to end Pittsburgh’s two-year reign as Stanley Cup champions and propel the Capitals into the NHL’s final four for just the third time in franchise history.

Braden Holtby stopped 21 shots for the Capitals. Alex Chiasson scored his first playoff goal in four years during a taut, tight contest through regulation.

Kris Letang scored for the Penguins and Murray finished with 28 saves but couldn’t close his legs fast enough to stop Kuznetsov’s forehand flick from in close as Pittsburgh’s bid at becoming the first team in 35 years to win three consecutive Cups came to an abrupt end.

The Caps will now take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lightning were number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference.

During the regular season, the Caps went 1-2 against the Lightning, although one of those losses was in overtime.

The win prompted a string of congratulations from fans and other D.C. sports teams.

After all the years of frustration, the Caps even took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to assure fans this is no dream.

WTOP’s Patrick Roth contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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