For the first time in his NHL career, Derrick Pouliot was on the ice for a playoff game with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On Monday evening, the Penguins won game three of their Eastern Conference second round series against the Washington Capitals by the score of 3-2.
Earlier in the playoff series, veteran defensemen Olli Maatta was injured, which meant that Pouliot had the opportunity to replace Maatta in the lineup.
While Pouliot had admitted there would be nerves before the game, the 22-year-old Weyburn product feels he’s done everything he can to be prepared for the opportunity.
“It’s been a little while, but we’re skating pretty much every day trying our best to stay in it,” said Pouliot, the eighth-overall pick in the 2012 draft.
“It’s a little tough. You don’t get a lot of practice time in the playoffs so these morning skates and stuff like that, you try to use it to your advantage. My body feels good. If I get in, I’ll be ready.”
During his 22 shifts during the playoff game, Pouliot was +2 as a defenceman.
Scoring for the Penguins were Patric Hornqvist, Tom Kuhnhackl and Carl Hagelin. Pittsburgh now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Washington outshot Pittsburgh 49-23. Penguins rookie goaltender Matt Murray made 47 saves to reach his NHL career high for saves in a single game. He made 14 saves in each of the first two periods, and 19 saves during the third period.
Game four is tonight, May 4, at the Consol Energy Centre in Pittsburgh. Game five will be hosted by the Washington Capitals on Saturday, May 7.
If needed, game six will be Tuesday, May 10 in Pittsburgh and game seven will be Thursday, May 12 in Washington.
Also, in the round two playoffs, the Stars face the Blues, the Sharks play the Predators and the Lightning face the Islanders.
