Talk about anticlimactic: Crosby, Penguins chase Varlamov early, beat Capitals 6-2 in Game 7

WASHINGTON — For a guy who supposedly shies from the limelight, Sidney Crosby was as good as could be in the first Game 7 of his career. The rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins were pretty close to perfect, too. Crosby scored twice to raise his NHL-leading playoff goal total to 12, his teammates shut down his big rival, Alex Ovechkin, most of the night, and the Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.

Talk about anticlimactic: Crosby, Penguins chase Varlamov early, beat Capitals 6-2 in Game 7

WASHINGTON — For a guy who supposedly shies from the limelight, Sidney Crosby was as good as could be in the first Game 7 of his career.

Evgeni Malkin scores 3:28 into overtime as Penguins beat Capitals 4-3 and take 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — 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. The Penguins overcame a third-period deficit, survived Alex Ovechkin’s tying goal late in regulation, then won the game on Evgeni Malkin’s power-play tally 3:28 into overtime Saturday night for a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Evgeni Malkin scores 3:28 into overtime as Penguins beat Capitals 4-3 and take 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — 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. The Penguins overcame a third-period deficit, survived Alex Ovechkin’s tying goal late in regulation, then won the game on Evgeni Malkin’s power-play tally 3:28 into overtime Saturday night for a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Malkin scores in OT as Penguins beat Capitals 4-3, take 3-2 series lead

WASHINGTON — 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.

Ovechkin, Crosby both get hat tricks as Capitals beat Penguins 4-3 to take 2-0 series lead

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin got his first playoff hat trick. Sidney Crosby matched him, but his was too little, too late.

Ovechkin scores, but unheralded Capitals teammates also contribute in 3-2 win over Penguins

WASHINGTON — In a series featuring several of the NHL’s most notable stars, a couple of role players and a rookie goaltender made the difference for the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their showdown against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ovechkin scores, but unheralded teammates also contribute in 3-2 win over Penguins

WASHINGTON — In a series featuring several of the NHL’s most notable stars, a couple of role players and a rookie goaltender made the difference for the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their showdown against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Can 1 rink hold Ovechkin-Malkin-Crosby 3-ring circus? Caps, Pens about to find out

PITTSBURGH — Alex Ovechkin doesn’t like Sidney Crosby. Neither does Alexander Semin, who calls Crosby an overrated product of the NHL’s hype machine. Ovechkin disliked Evgeni Malkin, too, but now appears to like him again.