Shattenkirk wins it for Capitals in OT

Washington defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (left) helped the Capitals cut their NHL Eastern Conference semifi nal series deficit in half by scoring the game-winning goal in their 3-2, overtime victory over Pittsburgh on Monday. The Penguins now lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Wednesday.
Washington defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (left) helped the Capitals cut their NHL Eastern Conference semifi nal series deficit in half by scoring the game-winning goal in their 3-2, overtime victory over Pittsburgh on Monday. The Penguins now lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH -- A shot from the point by Washington's Kevin Shattenkirk salvaged -- or at the very least, extended -- his team's season.

A far different kind of shot may end up determining the outcome of a playoff series growing more contentious by the shift.

Shattenkirk's goal 3:13 into overtime lifted the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to cut Pittsburgh's lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal, one that could go on without Penguins star Sidney Crosby.

The Pittsburgh captain left just over 5 minutes into the game after getting cross-checked to the head by Washington's Matt Niskanen. The NHL's leading scorer and one of the game's best players did not return and his status for Wednesday's Game 4 -- and maybe the rest of the postseason -- is uncertain.

"Certainly didn't mean to injure him," said Niskanen, who spent four years with Crosby in Pittsburgh before signing with Washington in 2014. "It's an unfortunate play that happened really quick."

Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan said Crosby will be evaluated on Tuesday. Even without Crosby, Pittsburgh pushed Washington to the limit. Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored in a 48-second span with less than 2 minutes left in regulation to force overtime.

For once Washington, whose 43-year franchise history is littered with playoff collapse after playoff collapse, dominated the extra period before Shattenkirk's flip zipped by Marc-Andre Fleury's blocker to send his teammates pouring over the boards in celebration.

"Tonight was a great test for all of us," said Shattenkirk, who played miserably during a blowout loss in Game 2. "There were a lot of different moments in the game where we had to see what we were made of."

Washington took a 2-0 lead early in the third period behind goals by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetzov.

Malkin scored with 1:53 remaining and Schultz tied it 48 seconds later when his blast from the point deflected off T.J. Oshie.

No matter. Washington dominated the extra period before Shattenkirk delivered his first goal of the playoffs.

"We came here to win two games," Shattenkirk said. "And next game is going to be even tougher."

Sports on 05/02/2017

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