Washington Capitals bounce back against Maple Leafs

It looked bad early but it took one minute and 18 seconds for the Washington Capitals to turn their game around and defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Washington Capitals rallied from a 2-0 deficit with four unanswered goals including three in that 1:18 stretch in the second period for a 4-3 win.

The Toronto Maple Leafs got those two goals from Kasperi Kapanen at 4:37 and Ilya Mikeheyev doubled that lead at 10:58.

The comeback started at 18:59 in the first thanks to Jakub Vrana. Vrana blasted a one-timer from the right face-off circle after John Carlson placed a perfect diagonal pass. Garnet Hathaway also helped set it up coming down the ice. It was Vrana’s third goal of the season.

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2-1 was the score after the first 20 minutes with the Caps leading in shots 12-11. The second period was Caps hockey that the sold out crowd knew and love. Three straight goals in the span of 88 seconds.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored his third goal of the season at 5:07 after Carlson tapped a pass to him entering the zone. Kuznetsov glided and backhanded the puck past Maple Leafs starting goaltender Michael Hutchinson. Carl Hagelin was credited with the secondary assist.

Nicklas Backstrom added his second goal of the season 11 seconds later. T.J. Oshie outmuscled Morgan Rielly and got the puck to Backstrom for the quick one-timer in the Alex Ovechkin office.

It was a frustrating period for the Maple Leafs and after Nicholas Shore was called for interference and Cody Ceci for delay of game, the Capitals got a two-man power play advantage and cashed in with Carlson getting in on the scoring action.

It was his third goal of the season and fifth point of the night as the new alternate captain continues his offensive prowess.

Going around with the puck, Ovechkin quickly found Carlson for the one-timer in the left face-off area to put the Caps up 4-2.

The Maple Leafs got one back with a goal from John Tavares late in the third period but the Caps and starting netminder Ilya Samsonov held off a late rally. Samsonov, who’s in for Braden Holtby while he resets, stopped 29-of-32 for a .906 save percentage.

Shots were even at 32 apiece throughout the game with the Caps having the edge 12-8 in the second and the Maple Leafs desperately outshooting the Caps in the third 13-8.

For two talented teams, this was an offensive explosion. The Capitals will host the Rangers next this Friday night at Capital One Arena.