On this date in Penguins history: Chris Kunitz sends the Pens back to the Cup Final
It took a second overtime period for the Penguins to break through.
Seven years ago today, Chris Kunitz let the air out of PPG Paints arena with a series-winning, double overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators, sending the Penguins back to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year.
The Penguins made their way into the Eastern Conference Final after an absolute battle of a series against the Washington Capitals.
After that series, it felt like things, on paper, should be easier for the Penguins, but the Conference Final was a slog as the Senators’ trap system deployed by head coach Guy Boucher made life difficult for the speedy and skilled Pittsburgh team.
Goals were hard to come by for the Penguins in most of the series, losing 2-1, 5-1, and 2-1 — and winning games 1-0, 3-2, and a rare 7-0 win in Game 5.
It was Game 7 back in Pittsburgh on a cool day in late May and the air in the building was tight.
Chris Kunitz opened the scoring only for Mark Stone to equalize just 20 seconds later.
Justin Schultz gave the Penguins back the lead only for Ryan Dzingel to tie it back up less than three minutes later.
To overtime we go. And then a second overtime. And then Chris Kunitz called game and series.
“Penguins win it! And they go to the Final!”
The iconic call from Doc Emrick summed it up quite succintly.
What an amazing goal this is to watch to this day. All eyes on Sidney Crosby as he makes the perfect little dish pass to Kunitz, who was so good at finding a pocket of space in a crowded area.
What a game. What a series.