WASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom helped make a winner of a rookie replacement goalie making his second start all season for the Washington Capitals.
Reunited on Washington's top line, Backstrom delivered a goal and two assists, and Ovechkin scored once, leading the Capitals and fill-in goalie Philipp Grubauer to a 4-3 comeback victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night that evened the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
After Washington's two stars - Ovechkin led the NHL in goals, Backstrom was No. 1 in assists - both scored to erase a 3-1 deficit, Jason Chimera netted the go-ahead goal with 12 1/2 minutes left.