The Penguins ran out to a 5-0 lead over the Washington Capitals in the second period on the way to a 6-2 victory, per ESPN, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals against the winner of the Boston Bruins- Carolina Hurricanes series (also heading to a Game 7).
Crosby scored the first goal for the Pens, and was followed just by eight seconds later by Craig Adams.
Bill Guerin, Kris Letang, and Jordan Staal were the other goal-scorers. Crosby scored again in the third period, eliminating any thoughts of a Washington comeback.
Steel City Twitterers enjoyed the surprising outcome:
chrislovett To some #Caps fans - This is what you deserve for your hate and jealousy of Sidney Crosby. (via @penschat)
Chris__Fink oh, hello Washington Senator. what's that? u're choking? on your own teeth that the pittsburgh penguins kicked down your throat. aw. pity
hellohahanarf This Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game just might be the thing to help make me feel like not crying. GO PENS!
swiftyjim Hockey's big chance to get back on the radar and it's Penguins 5, Caps 0. Doh!
blue182skies @ChiBlackhawks Whatever it is that has happened to the Caps, I am thoroughly enjoying it! GO PENS! =)
Ovechkin scored a goal as did Brooks Laich, but Caps fans had nothing cheer about:
tmccool Ovechkin is a sad russian
Rhodes21 I'm confused, I see Ovechkin but I thought the season finale of The Biggest Loser was last night?!?!
kweennikki If the caps lose tonight i think Ovechkin is gonna throw a molotov cocktail in the locker room and kill his whole team
carldunniii If anyone has seen the Real Washington Capitals please send them to the Verizon Center!!! #washcaps
Truth_About_It I don't think Osama Bin Laden could have scripted are more disastrous start to this Washington Capitals - Pitt Penguins hockey game.
One Tweeter captured this shot of Ovechkin during the second period:
