WASHINGTON — This one had the feel of the best of the Islanders-Capitals playoff series last spring. And it was the Caps coming out on top again.
Alex Ovechkin’s goal with 2:40 to go gave the Capitals a 3-2 win Thursday night in a tightly contested, physical, intense game, a microcosm of the teams’ seven-game series.
Down a goal against the best team in the league entering the third period, the Islanders pressed during the opening minutes and were rewarded. Marek Zidlicky grabbed a loose puck and spun toward the net, and his pass snuck through a defender and found Josh Bailey, who roofed a shot over Braden Holtby at 5:38 to tie the score at 2-2.