Around the NHL: Kunitz Scores Double-OT Winner to Put Penguins in Final

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Game 7 required more than 60 minutes. Much more.

With their backs to the wall, the Ottawa Senators found a way to erase a 2-1 deficit in a game where they were getting fairly out-played. The tying goal set up a fight to the finish that went into a second overtime.

It was Chris Kunitz who scored the game-winner for the Pittsburgh Penguins at 5:09 of double overtime to put the Pittsburgh Penguins into the Stanley Cup Final again.

The first period started as a feeling-out process, but featured non-stop play with limited whistles. Ottawa got the only power play, but failed to score in the scoreless first period. Shots were 6-5 Pittsburgh in the first.

In the second, more wide-open play provided the first goals of the game. The game was approaching the midpoint when the Penguins finally broke the ice. A pinch by Ottawa defenseman Marc Methot and a turnover at the blue line by Derick Brassard sent Pittsburgh back on a 2-on-1. Chris Kunitz and Conor Sheary traded passes before Kunitz finished it off, scoring the game's first goal at 9:55.

Just when it seemed like the first goal would propel one team to hold the edge in the game, Ottawa turned the tide back just 20 seconds later. Mark Stone took a feed from Erik Karlsson and scored glove-side on Matt Murray, tying the game right back up.

Ottawa again failed to capitalize on a power play late in the second and the period came to an end tied at one. The Penguins outshot the Senators, 15-12, in the period.

The Penguins finally got their power play chance with 8:41 to go in the third. They didn't waste it.

A point shot through a screen by Justin Schultz beat Craig Anderson to give the Penguins the lead with 8:16 to play.

The goal stood to be the game-winner, until Karlsson fired a point shot of his own that caught iron. The rebound sat perfectly for Ryan Dzingel, who scored to tie the game with 5:19 to play.

Some close calls for both sides stayed out of the net, and the decisive Game 7 went to overtime.

The Penguins had the better of the chances in overtime, outshooting the Senators, 9-2, but neither team could score in 20 minutes, forcing double overtime.

Double overtime lasted just 5:09. Sidney Crosby set up Kunitz for a knuckling shot that went over Anderson to seal a second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final for the Penguins.

So the Stanley Cup Final is set. The Penguins are in for title defense. The Nashville Predators are on their way to the Steel City for Game 1 on Monday night.