After an emotonal pregame ceremony where the team and Alex Ovechkin paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, the game began. Richard Panik got the scoring started and the Capitals on the board. It was a laser from the right face-off circle for his sixth goal of the season. The goal came at 9:28 and was assisted by Carl Hagelin.
The Predators stormed back with three unanswered goals and former draft pick Filip Forsberg assisted on the first two. Jarred Tindori tied it at 10:15, Mikael Granlund gave them the lead at 12:52 and at 16:02 Rocco Grimaldi made it 3-1.