The Washington Capitals started off slow but eventually flexed their muscle, taking advantage of Nicklas Backstrom‘s two goals and three assists by Evgeny Kuznetsov to take care of the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3.
The Blue Jackets started off with a purpose, taking it to the Caps with an early 10-1 shot advantage and striking first with Kerby Rychel scoring on a 2-on-1. That goal seemed to awaken the Caps, who later in the period tied it when Backstrom scored on a 3-on-2, a fancy passing play the top line made look easy.