UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The belligerence and rancor of the crowd at Nassau Coliseum reverberated through the decaying walls on Sunday afternoon, shortly before the game was set to begin, and reached the cramped visitors’ dressing room.
Inside, the Washington Capitals understood they were in store for a challenge, especially early, and were eager to confront it. They weathered the storm in the first period — their goaltender, Braden Holtby, turned away 16 shots, including nine in the first five minutes — before buckling in the second, steadying themselves in the third and then tumbling in overtime.