Penguins clinch playoff berth by defeating Capitals

Springtime in Washington usually brings a few things.

Such as cherry blossoms and postseason battles between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.

But these are different times in the nation’s capital, in a lot of ways.

The cherry blossoms are still there. But the playoffs haven’t arrived just yet because of the NHL’s pandemic-altered schedule.

Yet, the Penguins’ 5-4 overtime triumph at Capital One Arena was pretty similar to the playoff showdowns these rivals have waged during late April or early May of years past. It also had postseason implications as both teams clinched playoff berths, thanks in part to the New York Rangers losing at home to the New York Islanders, 4-0, a few hours north in Manhattan.

Forward Jake Guentzel’s deflection goal, his 22nd of the season, at 2 minutes, 11 seconds in overtime secured victory.

“It’s a start,” Guentzel said via video conference. “It’s what we wanted to do at the end of the (regular season), get in the playoffs. Got our first step there. Now, we’ve just got to keep grinding these last five games to see where we can finish up in the division.”

Sure, some of the starch of this game was removed because of the absence of Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin as well as his long-time “frenemy,” Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. And it wasn’t nearly as raucous with only a few thousand spectators in attendance because of capacity limits in place during the pandemic.

But this contest was still fierce and compelling.

And it even included a Penguins player being injured, though this time, it was the result of friendly fire and not malfeasance by a member of the Capitals.

Versatile forward Evan Rodrigues left the contest 9:30 into regulation after he was struck in the left ankle by a one-timer from defenseman Mike Matheson. Coach Mike Sullivan did not provide an update on his status.

The Capitals claimed a lead at 7:27 of the first period with a power-play score by forward T.J. Oshie, his 18th goal of the season.

Goals by forwards Kasperi Kapanen, his ninth at 15:27 of the first, and Frederick Gaudreau, his second at 8:32 of the second, put the Penguins up 2-1.

Washington reclaimed a 3-2 lead in the second period with goals by defenseman Dmitry Orlov, his eighth at 9:02, and ex-Penguins forward Daniel Sprong, his 11th at 15:07.

It was tied again, 3-3, at 18:11 of the second thanks to Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese, establishing a new career high with his ninth goal.

Another goal by Kapanen at 10:55 of the third put the Penguins up 4-3, and they appeared a safe bet to claim a regulation win.

But a defensive breakdown by the Penguins in their own zone resulted in allowing Capitals forward Tom Wilson to force a tie at 19:45 of the third with his 12th goal.

As Penguins defenseman Kris Letang inadvisedly vacated the front of the crease, Wilson was able to take a pass just above the blue paint and lift an uncontested wrister over the blocker of goaltender Tristan Jarry, who made 33 saves on 37 shots.

“Just a miscommunication by me,” said Guentzel, who was involved in the sequence. “Not really sure. … We’ll learn from it.”

One lesson the Penguins appear to have learned a long time ago, or at least over the course of 15 years, is that being a playoff team cannot be taken for granted.

“We’re going to enjoy this one tonight,” Sullivan said. “These guys have competed extremely hard all year long to earn the privilege of competing for the Stanley Cup in the playoffs. It’s a hard league, and it’s not easy to make the playoffs. I’m certainly proud of the group for what they accomplished to this point. By no means are any of us satisfied. We understand there’s a lot of work to do here. But we’re going to take a deep breath tonight and just enjoy it.”