It had the look and feel of a playoff game and in the end, the Penguins and Capitals are tied at the top of the NHL East, both clinching a playoff spot as well in the Penguins’ overtime win.
Paul Steigerwald has the story.
Kasperi Kapanen had two goals and the Penguins also got scores from Zach Aston-Reese and Frederick Gaudreau.
Coach Mike Sullivan says it was two good teams playing hard last night.
Sullivan says the Penguins have achieved one of their goals by making the playoffs, but there is more to do.
Sullivan says it’s been great watching his team develop after the late start to the season.
Sullivan says Kapanen has proven to be everything the Penguins thought he was when they acquired him from Toronto last offseason.
Jake Guentzel says making the playoffs is the first step in the journey to the Stanley Cup.
Kapanen says he enjoys the pressure of playing in big games.
The Penguins and Capitals both have 69 points, with the Penguins having one more win but the Caps also having a game in hand. They’ll meet again on Saturday night in Washington.
Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Tanev remained on the sidelines for the game, with Malkin the closest to returning to the lineup. Washington skated without stars Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson.
Comments