Bonino's OT winner pushes Pens to East finals
After a valiant comeback that included the Washington Capitals scoring three straight goals to tie the game and come up with a miraculous goal-line save by a forward in overtime, it was all for naught. The Pittsburgh Penguins survived their third-period meltdown to win in overtime and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals.
Nick Bonino, who took one of the Penguins’ three delay of game penalties over a two-minute span that allowed the Capitals to tie the game, was the overtime hero. The offseason acquisition, who struggled at times during the regular season before being paired with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin, shoveled home a rebound from the top of the crease to send the Penguins to the conference finals for the first time since 2013.
The @penguins are on to the Eastern Conference Final! Don’t Miss a Moment. #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/4EgezGaZOl
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 11, 2016
It wasn’t a pretty play, but it wasn’t a pretty game for Pittsburgh. However, it was this line that had been the Penguins’ most consistent and most dangerous throughout Game 6. It was only fitting that they end it for the home team.
Kessel, who had the secondary assist on the winner, scored the Penguins’ first two goals. Hagelin, whose shot created the rebound for Bonino, scored the third goal.
Of all the decisions coach Mike Sullivan has made in his short tenure behind the Penguins bench, putting this trio together has been by far his best. Those three players are excellent together and their speed makes them a difficult matchup.
They overwhelmed the Capitals in their offensive zone and made it count.
The Penguins move on to meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals, continuing their incredible run over these last two months.
Nick Bonino sends the Penguins to the conference finals. (NBCSN)
