In a game the Capitals had to have to stay in the series, their best players came through in the clutch. Alex Ovechkin was more than just a physical presence on the ice, setting up the Capitals’ first goal and threatening Bruins goalie Tim Thomas all night. When it really mattered, the Capitals’ #1 center coolly put the game away with a wrist shot past last season’s playoff MVP. Nicklas Backstrom had been paying the price all night in front of Thomas, and it was only fitting that he be the one to keep the Capitals’ hopes alive.

The Capitals were more threatening right from the start of the game. Just over a minute into the game, Alexander Ovechkin broke loose into the Boston zone on a breakout passfrom Brooks Laich. As he cut to the goal, hulking Bruins defender Zdeno Chara held him, drawing a powerplay for the Capitals. That play marked the first time Ovechkin got free at even strength in the series and was a harbinger of things to come. On the ensuing powerplay, the Capitals maintained offensive zone pressure and fired 5 shots on Thomas, putting the Bruins back on their heels early and setting the tone they never really established in Game 1.

After the early powerplay, the vaunted Bruins attack started threatening. They quickly evened out the shot meter and forced Mike Green into a hooking penalty. Once again, the Capitals’ penalty kill was expertly executed (2/2 on the night) and kept the Bruins at bay. The Capitals were mostly adept