David Steckel's goal 6:22 into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals over the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-4, in Game 6 of a stellar Eastern Conference semifinal series from Mellon Arena.
From below the right circle, Brooks Laich lofted a shot towards the net which clipped the edge of Steckel's stick and dipped past Marc-Andre Fleury for the game-winner.
"It's been a long time since we won an overtime game in Pittsburgh. We've been hearing about it for the last two days, so it's a nice feeling," admitted Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau. "The message (after the third period) was 'it's our turn,' who is going to get that break to give us the advantage? Who's gonna get the bouncing puck, the deflection off the stick?"
Viktor Kozlov tallied twice for the Capitals, whose win forced a deciding Game 7 at Verizon Center in America's capital on Wednesday.
Alexander Semin added a goal and one assist while Tomas Fleischmann also lit the lamp for the Caps, who face an ultimate game in a best-of-seven series for the third time in franchise history against the Penguins. Pittsburgh won both previous Game 7s, in 1992 and 1995.
Alex Ovechkin contributed three assists and Simeon Varlamov recorded the win with 38 saves, his first career postseason victory beyond regulation.
Sidney Crosby posted a goal and a helper for the Penguins, who have not seen a Game 7 since the 2001 Eastern semis against the Buffalo Sabres. Bill Guerin, Mark Eaton and Kris Letang also scored, while Evgeni Malkin recorded three assists in the loss.
"Playoff hockey is about giving people the opportunity to become heroes," said Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma about the shifting nature of the series. "If you play a certain way over 60 minutes, have 45 shots, you give yourself an opportunity to win. We'll try to pepper their goaltender the same way in the next game and see how it all shakes out."
Marc-Andre Fleury suffered his first career overtime playoff defeat, allowing five goals on just 24 shots.
"This is great for the game, with the best players shining on the brightest stage," Boudreau said. "I just wish this was for the Cup."
The home team looked poised to put the game away early, and Guerin provided a finished off a 2-on-1 with Crosby by burying a wrister from the right circle 5:55 into the contest.
Washington survived a two-man disadvantage just after the midway point of the first period, but failed to generate offense on its lone power play. Varlamov made 17 saves alone over the first 20 minutes as the Pens outshot the Caps 18-5.
Kozlov finally got the visitors on track, tying the game at the 6:27 mark of the second period, beating Fleury with a quick wrister under the crossbar.
Semin was dragged down on a breakaway with 5 1/2 minutes left in the period, and on the delayed call, Fleischmann tapped in a loose puck from the crease for a 2-1 Caps edge at 14:42.
"I would have liked that period to keep going, and skip the intermission," Bylsma admitted. "We were missing opportunities thereafter. You've got to give them credit, they used their defensemen well to choke off the passing lanes and second chances."
Momentum took another swing back towards the Penguins as Brian Pothier was sent off for interference later in the second, and Eaton evened the game on a power-play score with 34 seconds to play, finding a loose puck in the slot and firing a shot home.
Just nine seconds after Steckel went to the box for slashing, Letang fired in his second career playoff goal from the left faceoff dot 4:40 into the third period for a 3-2 Pittsburgh lead.
However, the Capitals immediately went to the advantage and Semin's shot from the left circle changed direction off the inside of Laich's right leg for a 3-3 deadlock at 5:38.
Only 29 seconds later, Kozlov followed up an errant shot and beat Fleury from along the goal line and Washington assumed a one-goal edge.
The Pens were unbowed and Crosby knocked down Brooks Orpik's point shot in the low slot, followed his own rebound, and tucked in the game-tying goal with 4:18 left in regulation.
Laich was called for slashing with 2:02 left in the third, and Varlamov held firm against a furious Penguins series inside their attacking zone to send the game into the extra session.
"He has one hand on the stick and drops it with two minutes left in regulation," said Boudreau about Chris Kunitz, who was fouled on the play. "They had scored on the previous power play, so I was concerned about the momentum shift. It was a real gut-check for all the guys out there."
Game Notes
It was Washington's first playoff OT win after losing seven straight, dating back to a 4-3 decision on April 18, 2001 against Pittsburgh in Game 4 of an Eastern quarterfinal...The Capitals are just 2-5 in Game 7s, while the Penguins are 5-4...Varlamov improved to 1-2 in overtime games, while Fleury fell to 5-1...Caps defenseman Shaone Morrisonn collected a secondary assist on Kozlov's score, his first career playoff point...Pens defenseman Sergei Gonchar missed the game and continues to be day-to-day with a leg injury caused by a knee-to-knee hit with Ovechkin during Game 5.
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