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Capitals grab series lead vs. Penguins for 1st time since 2016

Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty

This may be their year.

For the first time since Game 1 of their 2016 matchup, the Washington Capitals have edged the Pittsburgh Penguins for the lead in a playoff series.

The Capitals defeated the Penguins 4-3 in Game 3 on Tuesday, putting themselves up 2-1 thanks to a late winner by captain Alex Ovechkin.

This spring marks the third straight playoff meeting between Pittsburgh and Washington. Here's how the last two series played out:

2017

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 3-2 Penguins 1-0 PIT
2 PIT @ WSH 6-2 Penguins 2-0 PIT
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Capitals 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 4-2 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 5-2 Capitals 3-3
7 PIT @ WSH 2-0 Penguins 4-3 PIT

2016

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 4-3 (OT) Capitals 1-0 WSH
2 PIT @ WSH 2-1 Penguins 1-1
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 3-1 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 4-3 (OT) Penguins 4-2 PIT

The Capitals have the chance to push their series lead to 3-1 when they head to Pittsburgh for Game 4 on Thursday.

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