NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : Penguins Beat Capitals in Overtime

The Penguins figured to win a shootout.

And Kevin Stevens scored his second goal at 8:10 of overtime Friday night to give Pittsburgh a 7-6 victory over the Washington Capitals.

The best-of-seven Patrick Division title series is tied, 1-1, after the first two games in Pittsburgh, with the next two at Landover, Md.

It had been four years since Washington lost an overtime playoff game--when the New York Islanders beat them, 3-2, in four overtimes on April 18, 1987.

The high-scoring Penguins took two-goal leads three times, but the Capitals, who took home-ice advantage with their victory in the opener, fought back to tie.

Washington tied it for the last time on Randy Gilhan’s first playoff goal with 4:35 left in regulation.

Pittsburgh almost won the game when Mario Lemieux barely missed an open net with three minutes left.

The Penguins, who appeared to be tired at the end of regulation, came out refreshed for the extra session. After they had fired eight shots at backup goalie Mike Liut, Ron Francis stole the puck from Al Iafrate, skated up the ice and feathered a pass to Stevens, who beat Liut with a 10-footer.

Penguin defenseman Paul Coffey, who had been critical of his teammates’ play and Coach Bob Johnson’s substitutions in Wednesday’s loss, took charge in the second period. He set up all three goals as the Penguins moved ahead, 5-3.

Mark Recchi scored twice for the Penguins. Lemieux, still bothered by back problems, had three assists.

Montreal 4, Boston 3--This contest at Boston was more like playoff games are supposed to be.

Stephane Richer scored 27 seconds into the extra period to climax a rousing comeback and tie the Adams Division finals at one game apiece.

The Canadiens fought back after the Bruins’ premier defenseman, Ray Bourque, scored a goal and set up another in the first 11 minutes to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead.

The excellent goaltending of Patrick Roy, who stopped 41 shots, kept the Canadiens in the game, and they finally pulled even, Richer tying the score, 3-3, near the middle of the third period.

On the winning goal, Richer grabbed the puck after linemate Shayne Corson’s shot was wide of the net, then beat goalie Andy Moog from the left corner of the crease.

It was the first time this season the Bruins have lost in overtime. During the regular season, they were 5-0-12.