Chris Kunitz punched the Penguins’ second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final after scoring the double-overtime game-winner in a 3-2 win for the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Kunitz, who has been to the Cup Final with the Penguins twice before (2008-09 and 2015-16) and once with the Anaheim Ducks (2006-07) , had a hand in every goal for his team Thursday as they eliminated the Ottawa Senators.
The decisive marker came with a weaving slap shot at 5:09 of double-overtime, giving Pittsburgh back-to-back Eastern Conference championships.
His three points were his first marks on the scoresheet since an assist in Game 1 of the series at PPG Paints Arena.
"I don't think it really matters who scores," Kunitz explained to reporters. "I think we're all just happy that the game is ended and we're on the top side of it and that we get to go play for another Stanley Cup. I think it's something that takes work from everybody on the ice to be able to score a goal."
Though the left winger was bashful about his clutch performance, a certain NHL analyst and former NHLPA member, Ryan Whitney, wasn't shy in pointing out his own role in how it's played out for the Penguins.
Kunitz !! How did the penguins get that guy!??
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) May 26, 2017
Some will remember that former NHL defenceman Whitney was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2009 in exchange for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi.
True to what's become a Penguins tradition, and counter to the usual NHL superstition, the defending Stanley Cup champions did the opposite of their Western Conference counterparts did by hoisting the Prince of Wales Trophy. The Penguins opted to not touch the trophy in 2008 before eventually losing the the Detroit Red Wings. In 2009, the captain mixed it up and Pittsburgh proceeded to defeat Detroit to win the championship. The lucky touch worked again in 2016, so it was no surprise that the Penguins stuck with what appears to be working.
Pick it up - it's worked before. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/qYI7syFvit
— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2017
The puck drops on Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators Monday, May 29 in Pittsburgh.
For a complete listing of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff Performer of the Night, click here.