Stanley Cup Journal: Grind line reaches its goal at perfect time

PITTSBURGH

If ever there were a goal that symbolizes what has made David Steckel, Brooks Laich and Matt Bradley established NHL players, it came in overtime Monday night and extended the Washington Capitals’ season at least two more days and one more game.

Steckel won the faceoff - it’s what he does best.

Laich gained possession and, from his knees, pitched it forward to Bradley - they’re always causing havoc in the offensive zone.

Bradley fought through two defenders to get the puck back to Laich.

Laich fired a seemingly harmless shot from the top of the left circle.

Steckel, screening goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, deflected the shot for the winning goal 6:22 into overtime for a 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Reunited in the third period, the Caps’ third line continued to be a dominant trio, helping Washington force Game 7 on Wednesday.

The overtime tally was the kind of goal the Caps lacked when they saw their 2-0 series lead turn into a 3-2 deficit - getting traffic in front of the Penguins’ goal, winning a 50-50 battle along the wall and getting a fortunate bounce created by hard work.

“We have some chemistry for some reason, and it’s been working well,” said Laich, who was credited with the Caps’ third goal after Alexander Semin’s shot deflected in off one of his knees.

At the game’s outset, Steckel and Bradley were wings on a line centered by Boyd Gordon, and Laich was on a line with Semin and Sergei Fedorov.

But the Caps posted only 11 shots in the opening 40 minutes and trailed 4-3. The Caps needed a serious shot of energy to get back in the game - a group of players who would get pucks deep, cycle while holding possession and create some not-so-pretty chances.

“We were down, and we weren’t having any offense,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I thought if they could rekindle it, it could work out well. Sometimes, it works out.”

Worked out is an understatement. Steckel’s goal broke a seven-game overtime losing streak for the Caps. This group was 0-4 in overtime the past two postseasons before his winner.

The Caps had nine shots in the third period and improved drastically with puck possession.

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