Capitals overwhelm Penguins 5-2 to force Game 7

WTOP News [Washington DC] ^ | May 8, 2017 11:42 pm | AP

[COBOL2Java]

The Capitals' Andre Burakovsky (65) celebrates with T.J. Oshie (77) after Burakovsky scored to put the Capitals up 2-0 during the second period of game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Washington Capitals are well aware of their franchise’s inglorious past, one filled with unmet expectations and gut-wrenching collapses.

And they don’t care. It’s not 1992. It’s not 1996, 2009 or 2016 for that matter.

The Capitals have spent the better part of the season insisting this time, things will be different. That they’re not burdened by the weight of the team’s history of playoff flameouts, one most of the guys in red, white and blue had nothing to do with.

Backed up to the precipice against a rival that’s tormented them for decades, the Capitals finally punched back. Hard.

Andre Burakovsky scored twice, Nicklas Backstrom got his sixth of the playoffs and Washington beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Monday night to force a Game 7 in their seesaw Eastern Conference semifinal.

This is the fourth time the two teams will meet in a winner-take-all. The Penguins have won each of the previous three. Not that it bothers the Capitals.

“I haven’t been here forever but, one, I’ve never been in a Game 7,” said Washington forward T.J. Oshie, who opened the scoring with a first-period power-play goal . “Two, I’ve never been past the second round. I know how much it would mean to me and I imagine it would be the same to every guy in this locker room.”

[ClearCase_guy]

I bet yinz will really celebrate if the Penguins win Game 7.

[ObozoMustGo2012]

If they play Game 7 with as much intensity, they will go to the SC Finals!!

[dfwgator]

Let’s go Oilers.

[gr8eman]

Yes...the Caps really stuffed the Penguins last night. Good! Their best game all season IMO. Kvetchkin playing both ways didn’t hurt either.

[Eska]

FIXED, DO youins remember when past coaches in the Burgh lost their jobs? Trouble in the locker room between players & management. Pens fan all my life, still watch every game up here in Alaska.

[Mase]

Can't believe Crosby skated away from that head first into the boards. Thought he'd be carried off the ice.

Caps dominated last night with a little help from Sullivan's line changes. Not sure what he's trying to accomplish, but it's certainly helping the Caps.

Which Holtby shows up tomorrow night?

[KC_Conspirator]

Yes, us Caps fans are forced to watch Game 7. The last 2 games have made me yell at the TV, "How dare you! How dare you prolong my agony and disappointment! Shame on you!".

Kvethckin is right.

[gr8eman]

IMO the Caps are a better all around team than the Pens. Moving the gr8 8 to the 4th line was a brilliant move IMO!

[KC_Conspirator]

Agree. Holtby and our defense is what will win or lose it for the Caps.

[UB355]

It was sweet to hear PITT fans boo their own team when they could not score during their power play.

[Hatteras]

I could have sworn I heard the Pittsburgh arena announcer call the assist to Cindy Crosby on the late goal by Guentzel... :-)

[KC_Conspirator]

They are and should be; but the playoff bugaboo runs deep with the Caps.

[Mase]

Caps have a stellar defense when they choose to use it. I hope they come out even more physical in game 7 as they did in the last two. Holtby seems to be in the zone again and he's getting a lot of support from his offense and D.

The best part about the last two wins is that it's shut up Chuck Emrick and his flagrant Pittsburgh bias. He is absolutely the most annoying play by play guy in broadcasting.