Capitals beat Bruins, as Nicklas Backstrom avenges Tim Thomas punch with double-OT goal
For the second straight game, the Washington Capitals took the Boston Bruins to overtime on their home ice. This time, they made the play to win — knotting their series 1-1 with a 2-1 victory:
It began with a faceoff loss for Backstrom in the attacking zone, as Patrice Bergeron won the draw to the corner. Marcus Johansson made a sweet little play to keep the puck away from Johnny Boychuk, retrieved it, passed to Backstrom and watched as his fellow Swede buried the puck behind an otherwise stellar Tim Thomas.
The same Tim Thomas, by the way, who nailed Backstrom with a blocker punch earlier in the game.
But the story of the game was Braden Holtby.
The Capitals goalie made 43 saves, including 11 in overtime, and has now stopped 72 of the 74 shots he faced on the road, in his first two Stanley Cup Playoff games, at the reigning champs, with Tim Thomas across the ice.
Not too shabby.
In two games, Holtby has answered one of the primary questions the Capitals faced entering the series. Thanks to Backstrom, they've also answered another: Winning a tightly checked, low-scoring game against one of the best teams in hockey in terms of winning those types of games.
Troy Brouwer had the Capitals' other goal, on an assist from Ovechkin — who played better in Game 2. Benoit Pouliot scored the Bruins' goal on an aggressive play against Holtby, chipping it past the lunging goaltender.
The series is tied 1-1 going back to Washington on Monday.
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