Sidney Crosby led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on 18 May at Verizon Center.
What happened?
The Penguins blanked the Capitals behind strong goaltending and a Crosby assist in the second period. Pittsburgh’s defense stifled Alex Ovechkin’s line all night, and the Capitals managed just 18 shots. Crosby finished with one point, setting up the series-clinching goal late in the second.
Crosby’s assist came 8:49 into the second period. After a hit from Bryan Rust on Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen, the puck reached Ian Cole at the blue line. Cole passed to the right circle where Crosby fed Jake Guentzel, who waited before slipping a pass to Rust for the 1-0 lead. The Penguins added a second in the third to seal the win.
Why it matters for Sidney Crosby
Crosby outpointed Ovechkin in the series despite missing Game 4 with a concussion. He finished with seven points (two goals, five assists) to Ovechkin’s five (two goals, three assists). In 19 playoff games against Ovechkin, Crosby has 22 points to Ovechkin’s 25, but the Penguins have won all three postseason series between the rivals.
Ovechkin managed four shots and four hits but was minus-2 and finished seventh among Capitals forwards in ice time. Crosby logged 20:12 while Ovechkin skated 18:22. The Penguins advance to face the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Final.
What comes next?
Pittsburgh moves on to the next round after a tight defensive battle. Crosby and the Penguins will look to keep their momentum going against a Senators team that beat the Bruins in six earlier this postseason. The series shifts east after Washington’s elimination.
Crosby called it one of the team’s best games. “It was probably one of our better games we’ve played, and it’s the right time to have that one,” he said. Ovechkin admitted Washington didn’t execute. “We tried. We tried our best,” he said.