The Washington Capitals dominated play for most of the third quarter against the Anaheim Ducks, so it was only a matter of time until they finally made up a deficit. The Capitals nearly lost the game, but managed to tie the score with 42 seconds left thanks to a goal by Nicklas Backstrom.
The Capitals placed six skaters on the ice and pressured the Ducks' defense, and eventually benefited from an open net off a rebound on a save by Jonas Hiller. Joel Ward took the initial shot, and the save went right to Backstrom, who put the puck up in the top left corner for the goal.
The Capitals dominated play and nearly got an equalizer several times prior to Backstrom's goal, but the Ducks took back control on a power play, which has been an issue for Washington this season. Goalie Tomas Vokoun picked up a penalty for tripping Corey Perry on a breakaway, and a minute later, Perry cashed in on the power play to give Anaheim the 4-2 lead.
Washington got back to within one goal on a bit of a fluke play. John Erskine knocked the puck way up the ice to Troy Brouwer, who ripped a wrist shot at Jonas Hiller. The puck floated high up in the air and somehow landed behind Hiller for the goal. Mathieu Perreault tried to tip it in, but missed, so Brouwer got credit for the goal.
The Capitals' best chance to tie came when they picked up a power play after the Ducks were called for a delay of game. However, they only got one shot off as Anaheim easily killed the penalty off.
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