NHL playoffs 2017: Updated bracket after Penguins beat Capitals

It took seven games, but the Penguins finally pulled off the win over the Capitals and advanced to another Eastern Conference finals. Here’s the updated Stanley Cup bracket.

After squandering a 3-1 series lead, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally finished off the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 2-0 win in Game 7.

The Penguins looked dominant in the series’ first four games, but fell apart slightly in Games 5 and 6. They finished off the Caps despite losing home-ice advantage, and will advance to play the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference finals.

Their Game 7 win was about as solid a victory you can get in the postseason, with a mix of skill and luck playing a factor. Bryan Rust returned to form in the second period as he opened the scoring for the Penguins, while Patric Hornqvist had Lady Luck on his side for his third period tally.

The Penguins advance to their second-straight Eastern Conference finals, and will look to repeat as conference champions on their way to a possible repeat appearance in the Stanley Cup finals. Last year, they took the Tampa Bay Lightning to seven games, and took home their first conference title since 2009 in that series.

This year’s appearance marks the fifth time since 2008 that the Penguins are one of the top two teams in their conference.

Here’s a look at an updated Stanley Cup bracket after the Penguins win:

Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators still await the winner of Game 7 between the Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers, the final matchup in the conference semifinals.

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The Penguins are riding the hot hand of Marc-Andre Fleury in this year’s postseason, even with the potential return of last year’s hero Matt Murray. Now, they’ll need Fleury to stay in form if they want any chance at a repeat this season.