Washington
Ovechkin was a force all over the ice with the Capitals on the brink of elimination and yet another early playoff exit. His blast on the power play set the tone early, and his shot created the rebound for T.J Oshie’s power-play goal in the second period.
Veteran Justin Williams also scored to help Washington force Game 6 on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins got a power-play goal of their own, their first of the series, from Chris Kunitz but couldn’t overcome the Capitals’ desperation and Holtby’s brilliance. Matt Murray allowed three goals on 19 shots, looking like a rookie for the first time in the playoffs.
Dallas
Dmitrij Jaskin’s first career playoff goal put the Blues ahead for good at 2-1 in the second period, and St. Louis protected a 3-1 lead in the third for a second straight road victory. The Blues surrendered the same lead before winning in overtime in Game 2 in Dallas.
Elliott had 27 saves to give the Blues a chance to wrap up the series in Game 6 at home on Monday night.
St. Paul, Minn.
Boudreau was fired by Anaheim two days after the four-time Pacific Division champions’ first-round exit from the playoffs. He was 208-104-40 in parts of five seasons with the Ducks after going 201-88-40 in parts of five seasons with the Washington Capitals.
The 61-year-old Boudreau has a career record of 409-192-80, at .659 the highest winning percentage among active coaches.
Boudreau played in St. Paul for the Fighting Saints in the World Hockey Association, scoring three goals in 30 games in 1975-76.
