Nic Dowd redirected a rifling shot from TJ Oshie to beat Tuukka Rask 4:41 into overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The goal was Dowd’s first career playoff game-winner.
The Capitals prevailed despite losing its starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a lower-body injury early in the first period. Vanecek stretched out trying to stop a Jake DeBrusk shot that still got by him.
Vanecek came up lame and after being attended to by the Capitals trainer, exited the game and did not return. He was replaced by 39-year old veteran goalie Craig Anderson with Ilya Samsonov being unavailable.
The young Samsonov was activated off the COVID-19 protocol list on Saturday. However, he did not dress for the game.
Meanwhile, Anderson stepped in and stopped 21 of 22 shots on net. A power play goal by Bruins forward Nick Ritchie that tied the game at 2-2 was the only shot to get by Anderson.
Anderson stopped two shots in the extra frame before Dowd tipped in the game-winner.
The goal was reviewed by officials for off-side. But the goal stood.
Game 2 is set for Monday in Washington, where the Capitals will look to take a strong 2-0 lead in the series. The Capitals are hoping to advance past the first round of the NHL playoffs after being eliminated in the opening round in back-to-back seasons.
