Penguins keep repeat dream alive
Capitals again left to ponder where they went wrong
Marc-Andre Fleury’s 29-save shutout sparked the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-0 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday to earn a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.
What it means:
The Penguins’ quest to be the first Stanley Cup champion to repeat since the Detroit Red Wings did so in 1997 and 1998 is alive. They now meet the Ottawa Senators in a best-ofseven series. Turning point in Game 7: The opening minutes, when the Capitals unleashed unwavering offensive pressure. But Fleury and his defense weathered the storm until the Penguins could rediscover their confidence. Based on how the Capitals dominated the third period of Game 5, and all of Game 6, they might have carried the momentum throughout Game 7 had they been able to push a puck past Fleury in the opening moments. “We came out like a house on fire (in the opening two minutes), and it sure would have been nice to pop one,” Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen said.
Penguins’ No. 1 star:
Fleury played with considerable gusto and confidence. He made a key save against Alex Ovechkin with the score 1-0. Given his eight wins in this postseason, it’s now hard to remember that Fleury was scheduled to be the Pittsburgh backup in the playoffs until Matt Murray was injured in the warmup of Game 1 in the first round.
Game-winning goal:
Bryan Rust buried a shot high into the net from the slot after being set up by a perfect feed from Jake Guentzel. Sidney Crosby drew the secondary assist. Last season, en route to the Stanley Cup, the Penguins won a Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a 2-1 verdict. Rust scored both of Pittsburgh’s goals in that Game 7.
Streak continues:
The Penguins have never lost a Game 7 on the road. They are 6-0 in franchise history. They are 4-0 against Washington in Game 7s.
Streak broken:
Washington winger Justin Williams has been called Mr. Game 7 because he was 7-0 in Game 7s. He is now 7-1. What it means for Caps: They haven’t reached the conference finals since 1998, and this group might not be the same next season. T.J. Oshie, Williams, Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner are among the potential unrestricted free agents. The Capitals are 4-11 in Game 7s. They were also eliminated by the Penguins last season. “It’s just extreme disappointment,” defenseman Alzner said. “There are times when you know you are not the best team in the playoffs or playing the best. But we honestly thought we were the best team in the playoffs and showed flashes of it.”