Vancouver has a difficult NHL season behind it, but there is still the opportunity to reach the Stanley Cup. A step on the way there was taken in the US capital on Sunday night – and it was Pettersson who showed the way.
Washington’s 1-0 (Alexander Ovetchkin) from the first period was turned into a 3-1 lead before the final.
Already after 33 seconds, Pettersson struck. The equalizer in numerical superiority meant the first goal from his club after a seven-match goal drought.
Just over four minutes later Pettersson hit right again, played by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Nils Höglander. The goals were Pettersson’s seventh and eighth for the season.
Bo Horvat used another powerplay and increased to 3-1 with just over a minute to the break.
Washington got in touch with the team’s second goal in game five against four. Tom Wilson scored the reduction, assisted by Nicklas Bäckström, among others, his 985th point.
The home team picked out goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov in the final minutes and put heavy pressure in the hunt for the equalizer. It was close several times, but instead JT Miller beat the puck into an empty net and secured Vancouver’s victory.
Vancouver is out on a five-match tour of the US East Coast. After losses to Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina, a victory finally came and a much-needed one.
Next up is a visit to Nashville, the night before Wednesday.
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