In a first for these playoffs, a series went on back-to-back nights. After winning game four last night, the Penguins travelled to Washington looking to take their third straight against the Caps. Meanwhile, the Canucks were looking to take a lead in a game and hold it down for a win against Chicago.

Pittsburgh 4 @ Washington 3 (OT) – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Momentum is a fickle mistress. The Penguins, coming off a win two nights ago, kept things rolling with a win last night. Interestingly, for the first time this series, the team that scored the first goal won the game. Although, maybe Jordan Staal found an exception to the rule as he didn’t score until the second period. That lead lasted all of 59 seconds before Alex Ovechkin tied it up and Nick Backstrom scored a go ahead goal before the period was out. The Pens also score in pairs with Ruslan Fedotenko and Matt Cooke scoring early in the third to take the lead. But this game was in Washington and the Big Red weren’t going to be denied as Alex Ovechkin scored with four minutes to go to send thing to over time. Overtime didn’t last long because less than four minutes in, Evengi Malkin’s shot deflected off the stick of Tom Poti and past Simeon Varlamov to win the game and take the series lead for the Pens heading back to the igloo. Varlamov had a vastly better game last night than in game four, making 38 saves in the losing effort. Ovechkin led the Caps offensively with 2 goals and an assist while Nick Backstrom had an assist to add to his goal. Malkin and Staal had a goal and assist each to lead the Pens. Sidney Crosby was held pointless for the first time this series showing that Pittsburgh isn’t a one-trick pony or a one-player team.
Pittsburgh leads the series 3-2

Chicago 4 @ Vancouver 2 – Once again, momentum plays an important role in another playoff series. Coming off an overtime win last game, Chicago kept things going by pulling off another narrow victory. Dustin Byfuglien kicks puts Chicago in the lead by potting in a goal late in the first period. However, that lead was short-lived as Ryan Kesler ties up the game with a powerplay goal two and a half minutes later. Mats Sundin gets his second playoff goal of the season to help the Canucks take a one goal lead in the second period. However, the Blackhawks refused to go down without a fight. With 1:38 left in the period, Byfuglien takes a pass from Brian Campbell and rips a shot pass Luongo to tie the game. With 5 minutes to go in regulation, the Blackhawks took advantage of Kevin Bieksa’s high sticking penalty as Dave Bolland scores the game winning goal. Martin Havlat scores in the empty net to seal the deal late in the game. Byfuglien didn’t only provide the team with offensive power, he was also a huge part of the physical presence of the team by dishing out a team-high of 6 hits. The Blackhawks outshot the Canucks 31 to 21. Even with decent goaltending from Luongo, he just couldn’t save the day this time around.
Chicago leads the series 3-2

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Alex Ovechkin (Washington)
2. Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
3. Dustin Byfuglien (Chicago)

Sunday’s Schedule:
Anaheim at Detroit – The series is tied 2-2 (TV: TSN, NHL Network US)
Carolina at Boston – Carolina leads the series 3-1 (TV: TSN, Versus)