Steckel’s OT goal wins it, Capitals force Game 7 by beating Penguins 5-4

May 14th, 2009 Caps goalie Varlamov pulled early in Game 7 lossWASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals replaced rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov with veteran Jose Theodore after falling behind 4-0 in the second period Wednesday night in their 6-2 Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Varlamov, who had anchored the Capitals in net for the previous 12 games, allowed goals on back-to-back shots in both the first and second periods.

May 12th, 2009 Davud Steckel's goal wins it 5-4 for Caps in OTPITTSBURGH — David Steckel scored on a deflection of Brooks Laich's shot and the Washington Capitals finally won an overtime playoff game, beating nemesis Pittsburgh 5-4 on Monday night to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Capitals, losers of their seven previous overtime games, couldn't hold a 4-3 lead late in regulation when Sidney Crosby scored, but made up for it when Steckel went to the net immediately after winning a faceoff.

May 12th, 2009 Penguins' Gonchar practices, may play in Game 7CANONSBURG, Pa. — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar has practiced for the first time since injuring his right knee during a collision with Alex Ovechkin and hopes to play in Wednesday's Game 7 against Washington.

May 12th, 2009 Steckel's goal wins it 5-4 for Caps in OTPITTSBURGH — The Washington Capitals supposedly can't win without Alex Ovechkin scoring. They can't win an overtime playoff game.

May 10th, 2009 Pens beat Caps 4-3 in OT, take 3-2 series leadWASHINGTON — When it comes to the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins excel at playing from behind. They've done it so well they finally have the lead.

May 10th, 2009 Malkin lifts Pens past Caps in OT; take 3-2 leadWASHINGTON — When it comes to the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins excel at playing from behind. They've done it so well they finally have the lead.

May 10th, 2009 Malkin's lifts Pens past Caps in OT; take 3-2 leadWASHINGTON — When it comes to the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins excel at playing from behind. They've done it so well they finally have the lead.

May 9th, 2009 With Gonchar hurt, Pens recall rookie for Game 5WASHINGTON — With Sergei Gonchar recovering from a knee-to-knee blow from Alex Ovechkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins called up rookie defenseman Alex Goligoski before Saturday night's Game 5 against the Washington Capitals. Coach Dan Bylsma said Gonchar's injury was not as severe as initially thought, but the coach declined to say whether the veteran defenseman will play again in the postseason.

May 9th, 2009 Police trace Ovechkin death threatPITTSBURGH — Police say they've traced an Internet death threat made against Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin to a 17-year-old boy. Pittsburgh Lt.

May 9th, 2009 Police investigating Ovechkin death threatPITTSBURGH — The Washington Capitals notified Pittsburgh-area police after a death threat made against Capitals star Alex Ovechkin surfaced on a hockey message board. The message board poster bragged he was going to kill Ovechkin and didn't care if he went to jail.

May 8th, 2009 Capitals perplexed about power play disparityPITTSBURGH — The Washington Capitals are being overpowered by the Pittsburgh Penguins despite owning the lead in their playoff series, and they're confused why that's happening. Capitals general manager George McPhee and coach Bruce Boudreau were critical again Thursday of the Penguins' 7-2 edge in power plays during Pittsburgh's 3-2 overtime victory over Washington in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

May 8th, 2009 Geno joins party: Malkin helps Pens edge CapsPITTSBURGH — For two memorable games, the Capitals-Penguins playoff matchup of the stars was controlled by one team and two players. Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby played a personal contest of one-upmanship unrivaled in the NHL playoffs in years and, while tying with four goals each, it was Ovechkin's Capitals who controlled the Eastern Conference semifinals following a pair of tight victories at home.

May 8th, 2009 Penguins get must-win OT victory over CapitalsPITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins finally solved Simeon Varlamov, finally controlled Alex Ovechkin for most of a game and got the victory they needed to get back into their playoff series against the Washington Capitals. Kris Letang scored his first career playoff goal 11:23 into overtime on a shot from the point after Sidney Crosby's faceoff win and the Penguins avoided going down three games to the Capitals, winning 3-2 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night.

May 5th, 2009 Penguins' goal: Stop Ovechkin, start up MalkinPITTSBURGH — Evgeni Malkin stepped into the Pittsburgh Penguins' practice rink dressing room and spotted a large group of reporters forming a faceoff circle around his seat. He quickly scooted into an adjacent off-limits area without taking any questions.

April 29th, 2009 Capitals, Hurricanes win NHL opening round game 7sWASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals needed three games to complete their comeback and advance to the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals. The Carolina Hurricanes needed just 80 seconds.