Caps end Penguins’ hex, advance to East finals

Evgeny Kuznetsov’s breakway goal 5 minutes, 27 seconds into overtime boosted the Capitals to a 2-1 victory over the Penguins in Game 6 on Monday night in Pittsburgh and a berth in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 20 years.

Kuznetsov took a lead pass from Alexander Ovechkin and tucked the puck by Matt Murray to end the Penguins’ twoyear 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 Caps, who will face the Lightning in the East finals.

Alex Chiasson scored his first playoff goal in four years during a taut, tight contest through regulation. He was assisted by Nathan Walker, who got the first assist ever in the playoffs by an Australian.

Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, assisted by Crosby. The assist pushed Crosby’s career playoff total to 185, tied with Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman for 10th most all time.

Murray finished with 28 saves but couldn’t close his legs fast enough to stop Kuznetsov’s forehand flick from in close.

The Penguins’ bid to become the first team in 35 years to win three consecutive Cups came to an abrupt end.

The Capitals spent the series saying their forgettable playoff history littered with squandered leads and blown opportunities — particularly against the Penguins — wasn’t a factor.

And twice the Capitals rallied in the third period, including a four-goal outburst in Game 5.

That last step, however, has always been tricky. Four times previously during the Ovechkin era, the Capitals won three games in the second round only to come up short in Game 7.

The Penguins, by contrast, had been impossible to finish off since coach Mike Sullivan took over in December 2015. They came in 4-0 in elimination games under Sullivan, including a 2-0 victory in Game 7 last spring on their way to a second straight title.

Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson scored two goals apiece in the Predators’ road victory, which tied the West semifinal series 3-3 and forced Game 7 on Thursday night in Nashville, Tenn.

Ryan Johansen and Roman Jusi had two assists apiece. Forsberg and Arvidsson also had assists. Johansen and Forsberg each finished as a plus-4.

Pekka Rinne made 34 saves.