NHL: Defending Champion Penguins Move One Win From Finals

WASHINGTON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2017 ) - Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray made 25 saves and the defending champion Penguins moved within one victory of the Stanley Cup Finals by routing Ottawa 7-0 in an NHL playoff game Sunday.

The Penguins seized a 3-2 lead over the visiting Senators in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final series with a chance to advance by winning Tuesday in the Canadian capital. The series winner will meet either Nashville or Anaheim in the championship series starting May 29.

Pittsburgh took a 4-0 lead after the first period, the Penguins' scoring onslaught forcing the Senators to replace goaltender Craig Anderson on his 36th birthday with backup Mike Condon.

Olli Maata opened with scoring 8:14 into the game and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby followed with a power-play goal just 3:49 later.

Pittsburgh's Brian Rust scored on a rebound with 3:56 remaining inthe period and Scott Wilson added another goal 2:13 later, with Nick Bonino and Carter Rowney assisting on both goals. Matt Cullen boosted the Penguins' lead to 5-0 just 1:54 into the second period and Phil Kessell and Trevor Daley added third-period power-play goals to complete the blowout.