NHL: Washington throws the champion out

The Pittsburgh Penguins are eliminated in the Conference semi-finals of the NHL playoffs. The 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup Champion lost to Washington Capitals 2-1 after extra time in match 6 and lost the best-of-seven series 2-4.

After 5:27 minutes played in overtime, it was Evgeny Kuznetsov who scored the golden goal for Washington. In the regular season Alex Chiasson (23.) had taken the lead, Kris Letang (32.) equalized for the pens.

“It’s an incredibly emotional moment. I have no words for it,” said Kuznetsov. And Alex Ovechkin, who had delivered the assist to the winning goal, added: “We bit our way through.”

The Capitals, for which national goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer was again not involved, are thus in the conference finale for the first time since 1998.

Tom Kühnhackl stood on the ice for 13:47 minutes at the Penguins. Theoretically, he could now take part in the World Cup in Denmark. However, national coach Marco Sturm had already indicated on Monday that he would probably not nominate the striker again in a play-off. “It’s hard till this one’s here…” Sturm said. He has announced a decision for Tuesday.

In the second game of the night the Winnipeg Jets lost 0:4 against the Nashville Predators. In the last running quarter-final series it is now 3-3.

Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 San Jose Sharks

Nashville Predators 3-3 Winnipeg Jets

Washington Capitals 4-2 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 Boston Bruins

Washington Capitals – Tampa Bay Lightning

Vegas Golden Knights – Nashville Predators/Winnipeg Jets