NHL playoffs 2017: Penguins eliminate Capitals in Game 7 to advance to Eastern Conference finals

Dave DeLuca

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NHL playoffs 2017: Penguins eliminate Capitals in Game 7 to advance to Eastern Conference finals image

The Penguins are heading to the Eastern Conference finals.

They defeated the Capitals 2-0 on Wednesday to win the deciding Game 7 of their second-round NHL playoff series. The defending Stanley Cup champions will play the Senators in the Eastern Conference finals beginning Saturday in Pittsburgh.

MORE: Conference finals schedules, TV times

Penguins forward Bryan Rust opened to scoring off a slick feed from Jake Guentzel in the first period. Patric Hornqvist scored an insurance goal in the third.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves to earn the shutout, the ninth of his postseason career.

For the latest NHL playoff scores and stats, visit SN's live scoreboard and check out some highlights below.

Wednesday's NHL scores

Penguins 2, Capitals 0

Highlights

Patric Hornqvist gives the Penguins a 2-0 lead.

End of the second period: The Penguins lead 1-0, thanks to saves like this from Fleury.

Call him Clutch Rust.

GOAL! Bryan Rust gives the Penguins a 1-0 lead on an unreal feed from Jake Guentzel.

There's no score after one period. The Penguins have a 10-8 shot advantage.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been a wall early for the Penguins.  

Dave DeLuca

Dave DeLuca is an intern at Sporting News and a recent graduate of Buffalo State. He's a former intern and digital editor at The Buffalo News and executive editor of The Record, Buffalo State's student-run newspaper.