NHL: Penguins complete sweep of Capitals, clinch playoff berth
{{date|March 27, 2007}}
{{MatchScore|Pittsburgh Penguins|4|3|Washington Capitals}}

The [[w:Pittsburgh Penguins | Pittsburgh Penguins]] secured a spot in the [[w:2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs | 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs]] when they defeated the [[w:Washington Capitals | Washington Capitals]] Thursday night, before 18,227 at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals got off to a fast start, after Washington's [[w:Alexander Semin | Alexander Semin]] took a pass from [[w:Alexander Ovechkin | Alexander Ovechkin]], and backhanded it past Pittsburgh goalie [[w:Marc-Andre Fleury | Marc-Andre Fleury]] at 5:59 in the first period. Less than five minutes later, [[w:Boyd Gordon | Boyd Gordon]] would double the Capitals lead, scoring his 6th goal of the season. [[w:Michel Ouellet | Michel Ouellet]] took advantage of a Penguins power play at 12:08, sending an [[w:Erik Christinsen | Erik Christinsen]] pass past [[w:Olaf Kolzig | Olaf Kolzig]] to narrow the Capitals lead to one goal. Pittsburgh dominated the second period, with [[w:Sidney Crosby | Sidney Crosby]] picking up his 35th goal in between two goals by [[w:Ryan Whitney | Ryan Whitney]]. In a last minute desprate attempt at a comeback, [[w:Milan Jurcina | Milan Jurcina]] scored to make it 4-3. Unfortunatley for the Capitals, Jurcina's goal came with only 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Washington was unable to score again, lifting the Penguins to victory, and securing their berth into the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Washington has dropped 13 of their last 15 games while the Penguins have won 3 strait. The Caps return to the ice Friday, when they will travel to Miami to battle the [[w:Florida Panthers | Panthers]]. The Pens will travel to Boston to take on the [[w:Boston Bruins | Bruins]], Thursday. The [http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/NHL:_Penguins_blank_Bruins_to_catch_Devils Penguins defeated Boston 5-0] Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

== Three Stars of the Game ==
* #1 - [[w:Ryan Whitney | Ryan Whitney]], D, PIT - 2 Goals
* #2 - [[w:Evgeni Malkin | Evgeni Malkin]], C, PIT - 2 Assists
* #3 - [[w:Sidney Crosby | Sidney Crosby]], C, PIT - 1 Goal, 1 Assist

== External Links ==
* [http://www.nhl.com NHL.com]
* [http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com Official website of the Pittsburgh Penguins]
* [http://www.washingtoncapitals.com Washington Capitals Official Website]

== Sources==
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=AuS3pw7EYJHK1gy3ANCBpaR7vLYF?gid=2007032723 Yahoo! Sports NHL Boxscore - Penguins/Capitals, Tuesday, March 27, 2007]
* [http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/GS021134.HTM NHL On-line Report Viewer - Game Summary]
* [http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/ES021134.HTM NHL On-line Report Viewer - Event Summary]
* [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_499918.html Pens win, clinch playoff berth]
{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:National Hockey League]]
[[Category:Miami, Florida]]
[[Category:Florida]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Ice hockey]]
The  Pittsburgh Penguins secured a spot in the  2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they defeated the  Washington Capitals Thursday night, before 18,227 at the Verizon Center.

The Capitals got off to a fast start, after Washington's  Alexander Semin took a pass from  Alexander Ovechkin, and backhanded it past Pittsburgh goalie  Marc-Andre Fleury at 5:59 in the first period. Less than five minutes later,  Boyd Gordon would double the Capitals lead, scoring his 6th goal of the season.  Michel Ouellet took advantage of a Penguins power play at 12:08, sending an  Erik Christinsen pass past  Olaf Kolzig to narrow the Capitals lead to one goal. Pittsburgh dominated the second period, with  Sidney Crosby picking up his 35th goal in between two goals by  Ryan Whitney. In a last minute desprate attempt at a comeback,  Milan Jurcina scored to make it 4-3. Unfortunatley for the Capitals, Jurcina's goal came with only 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Washington was unable to score again, lifting the Penguins to victory, and securing their berth into the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Washington has dropped 13 of their last 15 games while the Penguins have won 3 strait. The Caps return to the ice Friday, when they will travel to Miami to battle the  Panthers. The Pens will travel to Boston to take on the  Bruins, Thursday. The  Penguins defeated Boston 5-0 Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
North America United States Sports National Hockey League Miami, Florida Florida Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Ice hockey