Penguins top Capitals in Game 4, even Eastern series

PITTSBURGH -- Evgeni Malkin scored the tiebreaking goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.
The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 at Washington on Saturday.
Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead on the power play at 17:31 of the second period. It was his first goal of the series after not playing in Games 1 and 2 because of a lower-body injury.

After getting the rebound of Patric Hornqvist's initial shot, Malkin shot it off the left post and the rebound went along the goal line behind Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby before Malkin dove and pushed it into the net.
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"It's not me. It's [Hornqvist]," Malkin said. "He's unbelievable. He stayed in front. … It's unbelievable. I see right away the right side and try to shoot quick, like how I can, and get the puck to go in. It's not from me, it's all [Hornqvist]."

To play was reviewed to determine if the puck crossed the goal line. Capitals coach Barry Trotz then challenged for goaltender interference, and the call was upheld after a video review.
"When I stayed on the ice, I thought it was no goal," Malkin said. "I didn't see the puck cross the line. I got so mad because it's a good chance to score, but after, there's a replay and it's in. It gives me a little more confidence, and I'm glad. I had a great chance last game and it hit the post again. This game is crazy, but it's good like that."

Jake Guentzel scored twice, Sidney Crosby had two assists, and Matt Murray made 20 saves for Pittsburgh, which had lost two in a row.
T.J. Oshie scored, and Holtby made 21 saves for Washington.
"We've believed in ourselves all year," Holtby said. "One game at a time. Now this game isn't going to shake us at all. Our biggest asset has been bouncing back, either after a win or a loss. Just focus on playing our game, and that's what we're going to do. I don't think anyone in here believes any different."
Guentzel gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 9:21 of the second period. After Dominik Simon's shot in the slot was blocked by Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen, Guentzel got the puck and scored near the right post.
"[Guentzel is] doing a great job," Crosby said. "I don't think there's any denying that. He works hard. He does a lot of good things with and without the puck. I think he cares more about the wins more than the goals and assists. So he's been a big part of our team's success."
Guentzel leads the NHL with 10 goals and 21 points in the playoffs.

"I mean, just kind of feel like the [pucks] are going in right now and the puck is finding me," Guentzel said. "Just got to try and be around it."
Oshie tied it 1-1 at 12:55 with a power-play goal on a one-timer in the slot off a pass by Nicklas Backstrom.
"We feel positive," Oshie said. "The game ended about seven minutes ago, so you're still a little upset right now, but we'll regroup here. I'm sure we'll look at some film, see what areas they exploited on us and what areas we can take advantage of on them."
Guentzel scored an empty-net goal on the power play to make it 3-1 with 58 seconds remaining in the third period.

Goal of the game

Malkin's goal at 17:31 of the second period.

Save of the game

Murray's save on Dmitry Orlov at 10:49 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Guentzel's goal at 9:21 of the second period.

They said it

"I just think [Guentzel] is a real good hockey player. He's competitive. I think he embraces the important moments. … It isn't anything that he hasn't done before." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
"There was a lot we liked about our game. They're a puck away from being in the lead or a puck away from getting it tied up. We did a lot of good things." -- Capitals coach Barry Trotz

Need to know

Washington had three shots on goal in the third period. … Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin did not have a shot on goal. He scored five goals during a four-game goal streak entering Thursday. … Capitals forward Tom Wilson did not play after being suspended three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head on Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese at 9:38 of the second period in Game 3. Devante Smith-Pelly replaced Wilson on the first line. … Penguins forward Carl Hagelin returned after missing three games with an upper-body injury. He had two shots and two blocks in 16:11 of ice time.

What's next

Game 5 of Eastern Conference Second Round at Capital One Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS)