Pens Take Series With OT Win

Archived from 2000-01 season.

2001 Playoffs

Martin Straka stole the puck from Sergei Gonchar to score at 13:04 of overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 to finish the first round series 4-2.

"Before this game, we just couldn't score. Tonight was our night," he said. "Earlier, I had some breakaways but hadn't scored any points."

The Penguins won the conference quarterfinal series in six games, eliminating the Capitals for the second time in as many years and the sixth time in seven postseason meetings. Pittsburgh will face the Buffalo Sabres in the next round.

"It was a tough series," Lemieux said. "Washington's always a tough team for us to play against. For me, it was fun."

"It was a lousy way to lose the game where the puck bounces over the guy's stick. It leaves you with a very empty feeling," Washington coach Ron Wilson said. "It was a bounce that went their way at the end."

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