The Capitals came out strong in this game, they had to. They needed to put pressure on the defence early and ride their goaltender out to a win. Beagle got the Capitals off to the perfect start just a few minutes in with a back-hander that went over Murray's shoulder from nearly a 90 degree angle from the goal. It was a bit lucky but the Capital deserved it for their early presence.
Some teams would struggle to come back from an early goal but the Penguins went right up the other end and started pressuring Holtby in net, Malkin whiffing on an open net chance. This just before the Penguins levelled off a bouncing puck that Daley had shot towards the goal. Crosby earned his first point of the series on the goal stopping him going four games without a point.
For the rest of the game the two teams kept close and both traded blows in the second period to leave it tied 2 apiece. Matt Cullen continued his incredible season by scoring his third post season goal just 3 minutes into the second period. He raced to a dumped in puck off a face-off and hit a shot past Holtby in close.
John Carlson tied it up after converting on a turnover by Derrick Pouliot and rifling a shot past Murray. The game headed to a climactic ending and became the second game of the season to go to overtime. In Game 1 the Capitals won 4-3 on Oshie's wraparound. This time round Patric Hornqvist scored after Weber failed to clear and he slotted it through Holtby's five hole.
The game was huge as it meant the Penguins could push the Capitals to the brink and potentially eliminate them on Saturday at Verizon Center. The Penguins will have Letang and possibly Maatta back. Hopefully, the Penguins can end it and get some rest ahead of the Eastern Conference Final. If they get there.
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