Sunday’s results
Washington Capitals 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1 (series tied 1-1): The Capitals built up another lead on Sunday, but this time they didn’t let it go, tying up the Eastern Conference Second Round series in impressive fashion, although not without controversy. Washington got off to a fast start again with Alex Ovechkin scoring 1:26 in. From there, the Caps built up a 3-0 lead before Kris Letang pulled one back. Washington would add the empty netter to tie up the best-of-7 series. Lars Ellers had three assists in the game. Braden Holtby made 32 saves for the win.
Nashville Predators 5, Winnipeg Jets 4 (2OT -- series tied 1-1): A thriller from beginning to end, including three regulation periods and 25:45 of overtime. Frantic action back and forth and a double-overtime winner from Kevin Fiala that sent Nashville into the stratosphere. The game had it all and the Predators avoided having to head to Winnipeg down 2-0 in the series. Ryan Johansen scored a pair, as did Mark Scheifele, and the latter has four goals in two games in the series. Nashville needed the line of Fiala, Kyle Turris and Craig Smith to show up in the series, and they left their mark on the game-winner.
Three stars
Braden Holtby, Capitals: Holtby had a solid bounce-back game, making 32 saves as the Capitals evened their series with the Penguins in a tidy 4-1 win. Holtby simply needs to be great if they want to beat the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs, and he was certainly that and more on Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Johansen, Predators: Call the Game 2 a must-win and then scored 27 seconds into the game for a quick lead. In the third period, he dipsy-doodled around Toby Enstrom to put the Predators up 4-3.
Mark Scheifele, Jets: Scheifele, like Johansen, scored twice in the game, including a massive goal with 65 seconds left in the third period to force overtime. Scheifele has four goals over the first two games of the series.
Highlights of the Night
Kevin Fiala’s beauty game-winner in double overtime:
Johansen did Toby Enstrom dirty on this one:
Here’s Dustin Byfuglien ragdolling two grown men with ease:
Dustin Byfuglien is a monster. Handling a Predator with each arm. pic.twitter.com/wowwbFihvX
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 30, 2018
Matt Murray didn’t get the win, but he did get this save:
Any paddle save is a good paddle save.
— NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2018
But this? Phew. 😧 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/G7hHAZJVd2
World class release:
Factoids of the Night
Alex Ovechkin of the @Capitals scored his 53rd career playoff goal to move into a tie with Bill Barber, Daniel Briere, Stephane Richer and Jeremy Roenick for 47th place on the NHL’s all-time list. #NHLStats #PITvsWSH #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/qtlxz6oYde
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 29, 2018
Monday’s action
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (NBCSN) -- Bruins lead series 1-0
Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks (NBCSN) -- series tied 1-1
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck