The Bruins made it a contest with two quick power play goals in the opening 4:02 of the third period. Michael Ryder first got his team on the scoreboard by finishing off a rebound, beating John Erskine to the puck in front of Michal Neuvirth's goal. Less than a minute later, Nathan Horton knotched his sixth goal of the season with a slap shot just inside the Washington blue line.
The Capitals' penalty kill unit that has been such a significant success story for the squad this season suddenly doesn't feel so successful.
The Bruins tied up the game just prior to the midway point of the final period. Shawn Thornton capitalized on a two-on-one break as he teamed with Brad Marchand to avoid Karl Alzner and score. Neuvirth, who seemed to attempt to cover a pass while Thornton was shooting, was pulled by Bruce Boudreau immediately after the tying goal.
AHL star goaltender Braden Holtby has now entered the game to make his NHL debut. Holtby has won two trophies with the Hershey Bears while backing up Neuvirth, and now he'll get the change to earn a win in his first NHL appearance by backing up Neuvirth once again.