Jakub Vrana skated past Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly to beat goalie Jordan Binnington 2:51 into overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blue in a battle of the last two Stanley Cup champions.
Vrana’s game-winning score capped the Capitals’ rally after falling behind 2-0 in the first period. Alex Ovechkin scored late in the first period off a nifty goal to cut the deficit 2-1. It was Ovechkin’s 11th career opening night goal.
Dmitry Orlov scored a power play in the second that tied the game at 2-2.
After allowing two early first period goals, goalie Braden Holtby stopped 20 shots, keeping the game in reach for Washington.
Washington had to withstand the emotional start of the Blues, who were celebrating their first-ever Stanley Cup with the banner raise. Sammy Blais scored 53 seconds into the game igniting the Enterprise Center, who were already amp for the celebration.
Alex Pietrangelo scored a power play goal that extended the Blues’ lead to two following a slashing penalty on Jonas Siegenthaler.
But it was the Capitals top players that stole the night. Ovechkin and Vrana’s goal. Top defenseman John Carlson collected assists on each goal, giving him his 53rd-career multi assist game. And Holtby put a block on the net to give Washington the much-earned two points.
