The Washington Capitals had a million storylines going into Game 3 as Peter Laviolette was mysterious with his lineup. What we did learn before the game was that T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov were in while Ilya Samsonov would get the start in goal.
Samsonov was the third straight different goalie the Caps used to start in a playoff game. That is the first time that has happened in their history. Vitek Vanecek started Game 1 but left the game after allowing a goal, suffering a lower body injury. Craig Anderson was in the net for Game 2.
The first period was scoreless as both teams came up empty on multiple power play opportunities. When the Caps went on the power play in the second, Alex Ovechkin finally got on the board for his first playoff goal, his 70th playoff goal of his career, and the 800th total goal of his career regular season and playoffs combined.
The play was set up by Anthony Mantha, stripping the puck away along the boards and quickly feeding Ovechkin in front of the net at 8:21.
More from Stanley Cup Playoffs
- DraftKings NHL Promo: Bet $5 on ANY Conference Finals Game, Win $150 GUARANTEED
- Changes the Washington Capitals Need to Make for Game Three
- Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins: Livestream, Injuries, Lineups, More
- Washington Capitals highlights: Garnet Hathaway scores twice in overtime loss
- Washington Capitals Playoffs: Observations From The First Two Games
Taylor Hall would tie the game at 9:17. The Caps would respond at 18:15 with a goal from Nic Dowd to take the lead right back. Set up by his fellow podcast bro, Garnet Hathaway, Dowd redirected a shot into the net for his second of the playoffs.
2-1 was the score heading into the final period. The Bruins led in shots 10-4 in the first but the Caps played better in the second outshooting them 16-11. In the third the Caps outshot the Bruins 9-3 but the lead would be blown.
The Bruins tied it from none other than Brad Marchand, who won Game 2 in overtime. The goal came at 11:32. The game would not only require one overtime but two as both teams came up empty in the first overtime.
The Caps were outshot 17-5 in the first overtime and outshot the Bruins 3-2 in the second overtime. The Bruins outshot the Caps overall 43-37. Craig Smith would win the game with a goal 5:48 into the second overtime.
What cost the Caps was a miscommunication between Samsonov and Justin Schultz. Samsonov played the puck behind the net and thought Schultz had it. By the time he found out Smith had it, it was too late.
The Caps and Bruins will meet again on Friday night at another 6:30 p.m. start for Game 4 with the Bruins leading the series two games to one.