Penguins Move Closer to Playoffs With Massive Win
The Pittsburgh Penguins took a huge win over the Washington Capitals to crawl even closer to the postseason.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the final game of their road trip riding high with points in six straight and just three points out of a playoff spot. In one of the biggest contests of their season, the Penguins were taking on the team sitting in that playoff spot, the Washington Capitals.
There was plenty on the line for both teams as they looked to continue improbable runs to the playoffs.
First Period
With so much on the line, the Penguins got an early lead from an unexpected source. Off a good face-off win, first-year defenseman Ryan Shea just put a simple shot on net that found twine. In his 25th career game, Shea finally recorded his first point in the NHL.
Despite the one-goal lead, the Penguins were getting mostly outplayed in the early stages of the period. The Capitals maintained offensive zone time and led in shots 6-1 through the first 10 minutes.
The Penguins maintained their perfect shooting percentage as their second shot on goal also beat Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren. A point from the shot by P.O. Joseph found its way through traffic for his second goal of the season.
Carrying a two-goal lead, the Penguins didn’t get much more offense for the remainder of the period. Heading into the first intermission, the Penguins had a 2-0 lead with only six shots on goal.
Second Period
The Penguins didn’t come out with much momentum to start the second frame, but they weren’t letting up a ton of chances the other way.
Losing Jake Guentzel wasn’t fun for the Penguins, but Michael Bunting has done a great job of providing a boost for the team. That continued with an imperfect slapshot but a perfect result. Valtteri Puustinen’s pass was just ahead of Bunting, but he caught it just enough to set up a bolt for his fourth goal with the team.
Bunting’s goal turned the tide of momentum in the Penguins' favor. They entered the second intermission with a 3-0 lead and outshot the Capitals 10-4 in the frame.
Third Period
Early in the final frame, the Penguins saw Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang take penalties in close succession opening up a lengthy 5-on-3 for the Capitals. The Penguins did a phenomenal job of killing most of the time and even getting an offensive chance of their own.
Just as the power play chances were coming to an end for the Capitals, they finally broke through with a goal from Alex Ovehckin. His 849th career goal got the Capitals on the board with plenty of time to play in the third period.
That goal from Ovechkin turned the Capitals' urgency up a notch as they put their foot on the pedal. Alex Nedeljkovic stood strong, however, maintaining the Penguins two-goal lead.
With just over three minutes remaining, the Capitals pulled Lindgren for the extra attacker. Former Capital Lars Eller was quick to capitalize and give the Penguins a three-goal lead. The goal not only likely sealed a win for the Penguins, but also Eller's 400th point in the NHL.
The final buzzer sounded with the Penguins securing two more points and getting that much closer to a playoff position.
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