Burakovsky scores double as Capitals down Penguins

NEW YORK (AFP) — Andre Burakovsky scored twice as the Washington Capitals thrashed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 to level their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday.

T.J. Oshie opened the scoring in the first period before Burakovsky grabbed his first of the night in the second period to give the Caps a deserved 2-0 lead at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Burakovsky all struck in quick succession to fire Washington into a commanding 5-0 lead in the third period to all but guarantee victory. Two late goals from Jake Guentzel and Evegeni Malkin were mere consolation for the Penguins, who at one stage had led the best-of-seven series 3-1. The series will now be settled in a decisive Game 7 in Washington on Wednesday.

The Capitals attacking dominance was backed by a solid display in goal by Braden Holtby who made 16 saves. Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was given a torrid time, blocking 21 of 26 shots.

Pittsburgh struggled to generate any early fluency and their first shot on goal didn’t arrive until 12:17 of the first period, a long clear by Brian Dumoulin.

Washington opened the scoring on the same power play, when Backstrom released Evgeny Kuznetsov who set up Oshie for a 1-0 lead.

Fleury kept Pittsburgh in touch with several key saves, including a superb block from Alex Ovechkin in the left circle.

The Penguins were also given a scare when Sidney Crosby, in only his second game back from a concussion, suffered a bloody nose from a team-mate’s stick.

The Canadian star was also sent crashing into the boards during a Penguins power play.

Washington’s early pressure was rewarded when Burakovsky doubled the lead at 6:36 of the second after forcing a turnover by Ron Hainsey.

The game was settled with a flurry of scoring in the third, with Backstrom beating Fleury for 3-0 before Carlson added a power-play goal to make it 4-0 at 11:17 of the third. Burakovsky then rifled a shot past Fleury at 12:29 for 5-0.