WASHINGTON (AP) – Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom helped make a winner of a rookie replacement goalie making his second start all season for the Washington Capitals.
Reunited on Washington’s top line, Backstrom delivered a goal and two assists, and Ovechkin scored once, leading the Capitals and fill-in goalie Philipp Grubauer to a 4-3 comeback victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night that evened the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
After Washington’s two stars – Ovechkin led the NHL in goals, Backstrom was No. 1 in assists – both scored to erase a 3-1 deficit, Jason Chimera netted the go-ahead goal with 12 1/2 minutes left.
Chimera, who was whistled for penalties at the 20-minute mark of the second and third periods in the Capitals’ 4-1 Game 1 loss Wednesday, sent a wrister past Jaroslav Halak to give the hosts their first lead of the series. Chimera’s initial shot was blocked, but the puck came right back to him, and he didn’t miss on the second chance.
The series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Sunday, and Game 4 on Tuesday. The Islanders are playing their last season at Nassau Coliseum, their home since 1972, and will move to Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season.