The Washington Capitals live to see another day.
The Washington Capitals overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 thanks to two goals from Alex Ovechkin including the tying and go ahead goal. The win ensures that there will be a Game 5 on Thursday night.
The New York Islanders scored both of their goals in the first period. First it was Jean-Gabriel Pageau at 3:50 in the first. Then it was the hero from Game 3, Mathew Barzal to make it 2-0 with a goal at 9:16. 2-0 was the score after 20 with the Islanders leading in shots 13-9.
At 3:35 in the second, Evgeny Kuznetsov glided toward the goal and scored his third goal of the playoffs to get the Caps on the board. John Carlson and Braden Holtby had the assists.
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“It was able to give us some life and a result… certainly a very big goal from him. I thought our top players had a very strong night. Again, I talked about our leadership group going into this game and our core that’s been through a lot together. I have a lot of confidence in them,” said Caps head coach Todd Reirden.
The Caps went on the power play when Barzal was called for holding Dmitry Orlov at 3:46. At 5:29 on the power play attack it was Ovechkin who tied the game. It came on a one-timer from the top of his office. Carlson and Kuznetsov had the helpers. 2-2 was the score after two with the Caps leading in shots 15-7 in the second period.
On an odd man rush down the ice early in the third period Ovechkin had the game on his stick. He ripped one in to give the Caps the lead at 3:40 off a pass from Orlov. The Caps would hold on the rest of the way.
The Islanders led in shots 6-5 in the third period but the Caps led 29-26 overall. Holtby made 24 saves for a .923 save percentage to ensure this wouldn’t be his final game in a Capitals uniform.
“If we’re going to play like that, we have a pretty good chance to come back. But we’re going to take a game at a time, and we get one. It’s only one, and we move on to the next one,” said Ovechkin after the game.
With the win the Caps have ensured a Game 5 in the series that will take place on Thursday. Puck drop is still to be determined. A win Thursday gets them back in the series.