(AP Photo/Nick Wass, file).
The Washington Capitals avoided elimination Monday night with a 5-2 pasting of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at PPG Paints Arena. FILE - This April 28, 2010 file photo shows Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak, of Slovakia, celebrating the team's 2-1 win as Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russian Federation, skates off after Game 7 of the. Probably not for the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks.
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. "We just got to go win one game in Washington".
The Canadian star was also sent crashing into the boards during a Penguins power play.
"We were sort of stuck in that two- and three-goal area and in a very important moment in the third period obviously in an important game, our guys delivered against him, so I think that gives us a boost of confidence". Yes, the great Derby lead-in unquestionably helped, but it's no surprise that it was a game from this series that was able to pull this kind of rating. Both Kuznetsov and Backstrom have four goals and three assists through six games.
"Some of the things that we're trying to do are starting to have an effect", coach Barry Trotz said on a conference call Sunday. The Pens prevailed on their way to the Stanley Cup. "Now it boils down to one. If we don't hold serve, then it's not what we're looking for".
Co-founder and CEO of the Waltham, Mass. -based Concussion Legacy Foundation Chris Nowinski told USA TODAY that the NHL's rule is "a poorly written policy that should be amended before the puck is dropped in another National Hockey League game". Trotz doesn't think it'll have anything to do with history. "I don't know if I tripped on a stick or someone else". Now, we stare down a Game 7 at Verizon Center with the season on the line.
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It might help me get over tough losses a little bit easier, I'll have to tell you when the time comes. Only twice did he have par putts longer than three feet, and he made them both.
"When teams come at you", says Pens defenseman Ron Hainsey, "you should move the puck by them and create that way, especially when they're over [eager]". I really, really hope there's no reason to be playing video of this hit in 20 years.
The Capitals winger has earned the nickname with seven goals and seven assists in the seven Game 7s he has played in his 16-year National Hockey League career. In fact, it may play right into the Penguins' hands.
The Penguins, by the letter of the law, did nothing wrong Monday night. Pittsburgh has won each of the three previous deciding games, the last in 2009 in Washington on its way to the Stanley Cup. Eastern Conference and 19-7 in their last 26 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
"I haven't been here forever but, one, I've never been in a Game 7", said Washington forward T.J.
Concussed on May 1, Sidney Crosby returned five days later and didn't look at his best Monday after crashing headfirst into the boards. Sidney Crosby doesn't need the money and while he may want to win another Cup, he should be asking himself if it's worth it to keep playing. "Felt fine", Crosby said following Tuesday's practice. "What you're talking about is the difference between checking with a doctor and entering concussion protocol, they're two separate things".
And as bad as all that was, Pittsburgh fans, players and management can take the not-altogether hollow consolation that it could have been worse. And his demeanor will be the story that mothers and fathers tell their sons and daughters - the coach who spit in the face of Capitals history.
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