Washington (AFP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a frenzied Washington fightback to clinch a 4-3 overtime victory and seal their Eastern Conference semi-final series duel on Tuesday.
Nick Bonino’s goal 6:32 into overtime settled a dramatic battle in Pittsburgh after the Capitals had recovered from 3-0 down to square game six following a string of Penguins penalties.
The Penguins, the form team of the NHL with 22 wins in 27 games, will now face Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals for a place in the Stanley Cup series.
It is a rematch of the two teams’ memorable playoff battle in 2011, when Tampa Bay recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to advance.
Pittsburgh’s defeat of Washington on Tuesday completed a 4-2 series win.
The Capitals had been aiming to overturn a 3-1 series deficit.
However, they were eliminated following Bonino’s goal and some superb goaltending by rookie Matt Murray.
He made 36 saves on the night as Washington’s near two-decade wait to reach the Eastern Conference finals continued.
The Capitals have not reached the conference championship game since 1998.
Phil Kessel had two goals and an assist for the Penguins with Carl Hagelin Pittsburgh’s other scorer.
However, Washington’s fightback got under way when T.J. Oshie scored on a power-play with 1:30 left in the second period.
Justin Williams made it 3-2 before John Carlson leveled it at 3-3 in the third period only for Bonino to deal the knockout blow.
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