The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in game two of their second round match-up on Saturday night by a score of 6-2.
In a fast-paced, intense game played by both teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to come out on top. With two games down, the Penguins are in a very good position as they head home to Pittsburgh with a 2-0 series lead.
Pittsburgh Penguins
This game also saw the return of Penguins forward Carl Hagelin. Here are some highlights from the crazy game that was game two.
First Period
The first period started out quickly with many turnovers, huge scrums, and a lot of desperation saves. The Capitals and the Penguins had many, many chances to score a goal but both goaltenders came out on top each time. The period ended scoreless.
Second Period
The second period saw the Penguins come out flying. They were ready to take this game into their own hands.
Right off the bat, Matt Cullen did a perfect job of out-skating Kevin Shattenkirk to generate a great breakaway. He buried a goal right through Holtby’s five-hole–1-0 Penguins!
Give your Dad a hug today. pic.twitter.com/RBC7xcOtco
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 30, 2017
Soon after, Capitals d-man Matt Niskanen tied the game up for the Caps, but the Penguins knew they wouldn’t just make it that easy.
Phil Kessel gave the Penguins the lead once again off a beautiful two-on-one pass from Sidney Crosby. Not long after, Jake Guentzel scored a similar goal with a wrister off a two-on-one. The Penguins finished the period with a 3-1 lead.
Get in the fast lane Grandma, the bingo game is ready to roll! pic.twitter.com/xWhnKrkbbN
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 30, 2017
Third Period
The Penguins played a strong second period, and they were ready to continue their play in the third.
Right off the bat, Phil Kessel scored his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs by going five-hole on Grubauer.
Kessel goes five-hole for his second tally of the game. #ImPhilKesselMama pic.twitter.com/54unEIx1uY
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 30, 2017
Nicklas Backstrom scored one for the Capitals but that was all they would end up getting. A good goal from Evgeni Malkin after review and an empty netter from Jake Guentzel gave the Penguins the 6-2 victory.
Player of the Game
If I had to choose one player for my personal player of the game, it would have to be Jake Guentzel. The rookie sensation has been bringing it like nobody else these playoffs by scoring his sixth and seventh goals of this post-season in game two.
He now no continues to lead the NHL in goals with a two goal lead over Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau with five goals.
Thanks to the Penguins strong efforts, they can head home with confidence. A 2-0 series lead is definitely something to be happy about and they will be looking for the sweep hopefully.