The Capitals got on their horse first to start the second period.
After a critical Columbus mistake at center ice, Evgeny Kuznetsov led Washington on a 3-on-1 the other way. Kuzy called his own number, ripping a snipe past Sergei Bobrovsky and into the net to make it 2-1 Caps.
But just minutes later, T.J. Oshie got caught flat-footed at center ice, and Columbus’ Matt Calvert got loose and past him for a breakaway. Calvert cashed in, and this game was tied 2-2.
But with three minutes left in the period and the Caps on a power play, John Carlson blasted a slapper from the point that T.J. Oshie redirected in to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead at the break.
Third period ahead…