Nicklas Backstrom scored at 11:09 of overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday, evening this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at two games apiece.
On the game-winning goal, Backstrom collected the puck after a faceoff in the New York zone and protected it from Game 3 hero John Tavares along the right-wing boards as he made his way to the point. Tavares, who scored 15 second into overtime in the Islanders' 2-1 win on Sunday, lost his stick and couldn't block Backstrom's long-range shot that beat Jaroslav Halak.
Backstrom scored in a third straight game.
Alex Ovechkin had a first-period goal for the Capitals, who got 36 saves from Braden Holtby.
Halak made 28 saves, including a right pad stop earlier in overtime on Jason Chimera as he skated in alone.
This series returns to America's capital for Game 5 on Thursday.
[SportsNetwork.com]
