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Capitals 4, Islanders 3: Capitals’ Backup in Net Staves Off the Islanders

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom helped make a winner Friday night of a replacement goalie making his second start of the season for the Washington Capitals.

Reunited on Washington’s top line, Backstrom had a goal and two assists, and Ovechkin scored once, leading the Capitals and their fill-in goalie, Philipp Grubauer, past the Islanders to even their first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

After the Capitals’ two stars — Ovechkin led the N.H.L. in goals, and Backstrom was No. 1 in assists — were reunited on the top line, both scored to erase a 3-1 deficit.