Sidney Crosby scores twice as Penguins defeat Capitals in Game 7

So much for all of the hype about Sidney Crosby versus Alex Ovechkin, Penguins versus Capitals, Game 7. This second-round series ended with a thud, thanks to a perfect performance by Crosby’s Penguins.

Crosby scored twice to take his NHL-leading playoff goal total to 12, the Penguins scored their first two goals in eight seconds, and Pittsburgh chased rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov early in the second period while shutting down Ovechkin most of the night in a 6-2 victory over Washington on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh will meet either Boston or Carolina in the Eastern Conference finals.

“Any player knows: When there are expectations, you want to respond,” Crosby said after his first Game 7 at any level. “We had two great teams that battled for seven games, and it’s good to be on this side.”

Everyone chipped in for the Penguins, from regular-season scoring leader Evgeni Malkin’s two assists, to fourth-line forward Craig Adams’ first goal in 42 career postseason games. Second-year defenseman Kris Letang, 38-year-old Bill Guerin and Jordan Staal scored too. Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves and didn’t allow a goal until his team led 5-0.

For the Capitals, this setback extends some dispiriting trends. They are 2-6 in Game 7s, including 0-3 against the Penguins. And they have lost seven of eight playoff series against Pittsburgh -- including four times after Washington held a two-game lead.

Wednesday, in addition to the big names on the ice, there was this: Five of the series’ seven games were decided by one goal; three went to overtime.