Somehow, someway, Game 2 of the Capitals vs. Lightning series is going to overtime. Alex Ovechkin scored with just over a minute remaining to tie the game at 2.
The Capitals had a faceoff in the Lightning's zone with 1:43 remaining, and eventually were able to capitalize with a goal. Ovechkin lost his stick, picked up a right-handed one from a Lightning player and deposited a rebound home past Dwayne Roloson to tie the score at 2 with 1:07 remaining. It was Ovechkin's fourth goal of the playoffs, and it came right as Bruce Boudreau pulled goalie Michal Neuvirth.
It was a jolt of energy for a Capitals team that struggled for most of the third period. After a strong second period, the Capitals let up a bit at the beginning of the third period, and it eventually cost them. The Lightning crashed the zone, and Nicklas Backstrom failed to clear. Eventually, Martin St. Louis got the puck in the corner and threw it in front of the net. The puck glanced off Mike Green skate and in the back of the net, giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead with 12:25 remaining in the third period. Green compounded the problem by taking a poor roughing penalty hitting Steven Stamkos one minute later, forcing the Capitals to kill a Lightning power play.
The Lightning seemed energized in the next couple minutes, getting several chances on goal. Stamkos found St. Louis for a golden chance in front of the net, but Michal Neuvirth was able to kick it wide. Ovechkin tried to get things going, but his slap shot was gloved down by Dwayne Roloson.
As time wound down, the Capitals weren't ever to get any good chances on goal. Tampa Bay kept thwarting every single offensive rush, clearing the puck every time. Eventually, though, Ovechkin and the Capitals found a way to break through.