Tuesday, 19 March 2013 23:20

Written by Dave Molinari

Final score: Penguins 2, Capitals 1.

Why it matters: The Penguins ran their winning streak to 10 games, matching the fourth-longest in franchise history, and retained their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference. They also have won eight games in a row at Consol Energy Center, tying their seventh-longest such streak on home ice.

In a nutshell: The Capitals and Penguins traded power-play goals in the second period, but the outcome was decided – rather emphatically – during a stretch of just over four minutes during the middle of the third. The Penguins were forced to kill a double-minor to Matt Cooke and, just nine seconds after they returned to full strength, Cooke set up Matt Niskanen for the game-winning goal.

Turning point: It's hard to overstate the importance of killing those penalties to Cooke, especially when Washington began the evening with the third-most efficient power play in the league and already had capitalized on one of three chances with the extra man.

Under the radar: Cooke will get the most attention for his double-minor and setting up Niskanen's game-winner, but he also was credited with a game-high six hits and four shots on goal, tying for the team lead.

Worth noting: Sidney Crosby assisted on both Penguins goals, giving him his 100th multiple-assist game and 200th multiple-point game in the NHL. ... The Penguins are the first team in NHL history to have a 10-game winning streak in three consecutive seasons. ... The Penguins are 11-2 when getting at least one goal from a defenseman. ... Niskanen's goal was his first since Feb. 22. ... Martin has six goals, tying his career high. ... The Penguins are 7-2 when tied after two periods. ... The Penguins and Capitals failed to score a first-period goal for the only time in their past seven meetings.

The brightest star: Niskanen not only scored the game-winning goal, but blocked three shots and launched four of his own at Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.

The last word: Niskanen, on the four-minute penalty-kill that preceded his game-winner: "It was obviously an important time in the game. That penalty-kill did an amazing job of stepping up to the challenge. We created a lot of energy and some momentum from that. You could feel the crowd getting into it. We were able to go on a rush and finish. (The fans) were more excited for the PK than they were for my goal, I think. That's OK."