PITTSBURGH (AP) – Nick Bonino put a rebound past Braden Holtby 6:32 into overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night to wrap up the hotly contested Eastern Conference semifinal in six games.
The Capitals rallied from a three-goal deficit over the final 22 minutes of regulation, but Bonino’s second goal of the playoffs sent the Penguins to the Eastern Conference final against Tampa Bay.
Holtby made the initial stop on Carl Hagelin but Bonino, camped right outside the crease, tapped in the winner.
Phil Kessel scored twice for Pittsburgh and Hagelin added a goal for Pittsburgh.
Rookie Matt Murray made 36 saves as the Penguins continued their playoff mastery over the Capitals.
Nine times the longtime rivals have met in the playoffs. Eight times the post-series handshake line has ended with Pittsburgh celebrating while Washington trudges toward the offseason.
