National Hockey

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets looked to have everything going for them heading into Monday.

PITTSBURGH — Evgeny Kuznetsov's breakway goal 5:27 into overtime gave the Washington Capitals a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 on Monday night, and a berth in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 20 years.

PITTSBURGH — Eras change. Stars change. Coaches change. Styles change. Coming into this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins had won nine of 10 meetings in the post-season against the Washington Capitals.

PITTSBURGH — A cathartic celebration 20 years in the making began with a poke of Evgeny Kuznetsov's stick. It built as the puck that Kuznetsov tapped away from Sidney Crosby made its way to Washington Capitals teammate Alexander Ovechkin.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The crew of castoffs that carried the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to a division title and two rounds of playoffs wins in a reality-defying season are more than just a feel-good story.

PITTSBURGH — The Washington Capitals will have to try and knock the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the playoffs without centre Nicklas Backstrom.

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators have signed defenceman Filip Pyrochta to a two-year, entry-level contract. Pyrochta (pronounced pay-ROCK-ta) has spent the last two seasons with the Czech Extraglia's Bili Tygri Liberec.

WINNIPEG — Scott Hartnell says there's "no secret" to what he will try to bring if called upon with his Nashville Predators facing elimination against the Winnipeg Jets.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The scene was all too familiar for the San Jose Sharks: a postgame handshake line on their home ice with the other team celebrating a series win while the Sharks wonder what might have been.

NASHVILLE — Dustin Byfuglien busted out his dance moves for a little celebration of his latest big goal, which may have caught many people by surprise. Not his teammates. "He's so loose before games," Winnipeg centre Bryan Little said.