Washington Capitals Highlights: Nic Dowd wins Game 1 in overtime

Despite having a limited capacity audience, fans in Capital One Arena roared on Saturday night. The Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins in an overtime thriller 3-2.

In a night when Washington lost its starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a lower-body injury early on, the team weathered the storm and gave the crowd a show.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the plays that got the audience in the nation’s capital excited for playoff hockey.

Alex Ovechkin sets the tone

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The Bruins had met Washington earlier in the week with Alex Ovechkin returning from a lower-body injury. Ovechkin did not play much in that game.

The Capitals wanted their captain to be fully healed when these two teams faced off in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Ovechkin let Boston know early that he was ready for a fight.

In the first period, Ovechkin delivered a massive hit to Boston centre David Krejci in the first five minutes of gameplay.

Ovechkin is a new beast when it comes to postseason hockey. Expect the great 8 to deliver more blows like this throughout the playoffs.

First goal of Stanley Cup playoffs belongs to Tom Wilson

The most beloved and hated hockey player in the NHL delivered the first goal of the 2021 playoffs.

At 6:22 in the opening period, Tom Wilson entered the zone scoring on an assist from T.J. Oshie and Daniel Sprong.

It was a gorgeous goal to kick off the playoffs.

Wilson found himself in hot water during the regular season. Against the New York Rangers, Wilson punched forward Pavel Buchnevich in the back of the head. The hit from Wilson drew a scuffle between the two teams.

Wilson received a $5,000 fine from the punch to Buchnevich. He was also suspended seven games earlier in the season for boarding. This was his fifth suspension since 2017.

Love or hate him, Wilson will continue to find success on the ice.

Brenden Dillon puts the Caps back on top

The Capitals first period goal lead did not last long.

Boston scored at 13:10 in the same period when left winger Jake DeBrusk got a goal off a faceoff win.

Vitek was also replaced by goaltender Craig Anderson for Washington during the goal after suffering a lower-body injury.

The Capitals managed to get the lead back with adversity now facing the team.

Washington scored their second goal in the second period off a Brenden Dillon shot.

The goal was originally credited to Ovechkin. But after further review, Ovechkin and Anthony Mantha both received an assist.

Nic Dowd wins it in overtime

It is not surprising that it would take more than three periods for this game to be decided.

The game went into overtime tied at two. With both teams beginning to look out of gas, Nic Dowd gave the Capitals some momentum heading into Game 2.

Washington defeated the Bruins in overtime on a Dowd goal that was hit off goaltender Tuukka Rask into the Boston net.

The Capitals will host Boston in Game 2 Monday night with a 1-0 lead in the series.

If it’s anything like Game 1, expect the Capital One Arena to be rocking.