After coming off a big Game Two win versus the New York Islanders at the Verizon Center, the Capitals traveled to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, only to play a dud of a game.
It took Washington 7:52 to get one shot on goal. At that point, New York already had 10.
To make matters worse, Capitals center Eric Fehr left the game with an upper body injury early in the first period. He did not return.
After the first 20 minutes of play, goaltender Braden Holtby shined as his team was outshot 16-5. Holtby did not play in Game Two Friday night having been ill. He stood on his head however in his return for Game Three.
Much of the same occurred in the second period as did in the first.
Islanders’ right winger Kyle Okposo put New York up 1-0 with 7:23 left in the middle frame. After two periods, Washington was being outshot 33-13.
The Capitals amped up their game in the third period. For most of that time, they were throwing as many pucks as possible on net. The heavy workload for Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak caught up to him when Caps center Nicklas Backstrom evened the score with 6:06 remaining in the game.
At the end of regulation, the game remained tied at one and for the first time in the series and so required overtime.
Holtby recorded 39 saves in the first 60 minutes of the contest.
Just 15 seconds into the extra period, Islanders center John Tavares came through in the clutch to give New York a 2-1 game three win. They also lead the series 2-1.
Game Four will be played at the Coliseum Tuesday April 21 at 7:30 p.m.