In an opening round series that has been dominated by goaltending and defensive play, the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins flipped the script in the second period, with each team scoring two goals to send their Game 5 matchup to the third period tied 2-2.
Alexander Semin scored his third goal of the series with 8:44 left in the second period, assisted by Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson. Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo was injured on a hard shot, lost his stick, and in the subsequent scrmable in front of the net Semin was able to push the puck past Boston's Tim Thomas.
Jay Beagle added the Capitals second score just over three minutes later, extending the Washington lead to 2-0.
The Bruins battled back, though, with Dennis Seidenberg scoring at the 17:21 mark of the second period. Boston quickly got on the board twenty-eight seconds later, when Brad Marchand poked a loose puck through Braden Holtby's five hole to tie the contest 2-2.
The physicality of the series has continued throughout Game 5, as just over five minutes into the second period Washington's Troy Brouwer and Boston's Johnny Boychuk received matching minors for roughing as they got into along the boards, oddly enough in front of a giant stuffed bear.
We'll have plenty more on these games and the rest of the 2012 NHL Playoffs on SB Nation D.C., so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more news, analysis, and discussion on Capitals hockey, please head over to Japers' Rink. For the opponent's perspective all series, check out Stanley Cup of Chowder. You can also head over to the SB Nation NHL hub page for more on hockey news as the playoffs begin.