Kessel exorcises demons as Penguins reach conference final

Pittsburgh Penguins right winger Phil Kessel celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of the second round of the NHL playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on May 10, 2016. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)PITTSBURGH — Phil Kessel had been through this gutwrenching torture before.

On May 13, 2013, Kessel’s Maple Leafs held a 4-1 lead over the Boston Bruins with 11 minutes remaining in the third period of Game 7.

Cue the collapse.

Indeed, the Bruins reeled off three straight goals, including two with Tuukka Rask off for the extra attacker, to knot the game the game at 4-4. That set the stage for Patrice Bergeron, whose winner at 6:05 of overtime…