Caps even series on Backstrom’s OT winner

Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Nicklas Backstrom scored at 11:09 of
overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 win over the New York
Islanders on Tuesday, evening this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at
two games apiece.

On the game-winning goal, Backstrom collected the puck after a faceoff in the
New York zone and protected it from Game 3 hero John Tavares along the
right-wing boards as he made his way to the point. Tavares, who scored 15
seconds
into overtime in the Islanders’ 2-1 win on Sunday, lost his stick and couldn’t
block Backstrom’s long-range shot that beat Jaroslav Halak.

Backstrom scored in a third straight game.

Alex Ovechkin had a first-period goal for the Capitals, who got 36 saves from
Braden Holtby.

Halak made 28 saves, including a right pad stop earlier in overtime on Jason
Chimera as he skated in alone.

This series returns to America’s capital for Game 5 on Thursday.