The Pittsburgh Penguins shut out the Washington Capitals 2-0 at Verizon Center to take their second round playoff series 4-3, thus continuing the Caps' streak of misery at the hands of Pittsburgh. But, as it had been throughout the series, it was Pittsburgh striking first through a Bryan Rust goal nearly halfway through the game.
Meanwhile, Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist scored the Penguins goals, while Fleury made 29 saves for his ninth career playoff shutout. Washington has not made the conference finals since 1998.
Ron Hainsey #65 and Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins go after the puck against Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 and Justin Williams #14 of the Washington Capitals.
And, no matter how much they insist the past doesn't matter, the Capitals keep falling short of expectations in the most heartbreaking way: During Alex the Great's career, they have now played in 10 Game 7s, going 3-7. The Penguins as a group fed off of his goal and locked the Capitals down in the third. A lot of players would just hammer it into the goalie's chest from there, but his vision is too good for that.
Indeed, it appears as though the defending champs are getting their act together at the right time.
Game Sevens are nearly always exciting, but early in the final game of the Oilers/Ducks series on Wednesday, it felt like the same story was being written again with the same California sigh: the Ducks failed to get a Game 7 lead, for the fifth straight time. He earned an assist on Rust's goal to open the scoring and was part of several scoring chances, including a third-period open look on Holtby that was thwarted by a diving effort from the Capitals goalie.
"We expected them to come out hard, but we knew we had to be a little more aggressive tonight than we were in the last couple of games", Crosby said. In the end, all Shattenkirk's acquisition produced was one extra playoff game. Later in the period, Daniel Winnik broke in alone on Fleury but fired wide.
At 6:40 of the second period, Fleury stoned Lars Eller on a rebound in front.
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The Capitals certainly had their chances in Game 7.
The best chances of the opening 20 weren't even shots on goal.
"Once they got their second goal, I thought they kind locked it down", Trotz said.
The Penguins outshot Washington 11-6 in the third period.
"I don't think we've given ourselves the opportunity to establish the way we want to play", Sullivan said.
Jake Guentzel, Penguins - Guentzel assisted on Bryan Rust's goal, giving him 14 points to pass Jaromir Jagr (1991) for most in a playoff year by a Penguins rookie.
Playing only because No. 1 Matt Murray was injured prior to the playoff opener and with his future uncertain, Fleury was at his best in the biggest game of the season so far. Hagelin was a surprise scratch, replaced in the lineup by Scott Wilson. Pittsburgh D Trevor Daley (lower-body injury) missed his second straight game.
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