Power play could provide opportuity Capitals need to break open playoff series

New York Islanders’ Nikolay Kulemin, left, tries to get the puck away from Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin during the first period of Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Sunday, April 19, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth ... more >UNIONDALE, N.Y. — There were 40 seconds remaining on the power play when the Washington Capitals began the third period on Sunday, which should have been an opportunity to pick up a goal, tie the score and make the New York Islanders sweat.

Instead, New York had other plans. Although Nicklas Backstrom won the opening draw, the Capitals immediately gave the puck away in the neutral zone, leading to a clear that cost them the first 20 seconds.…