Capitals win 3-2 to even series with Vegas

LAS VEGAS (TNS) – Evgeny Kuznetsov was grimacing, clearly in pain as he skated off the ice. He didn’t pause as he walked straight down the tunnel leading to the Washington Capitals’ locker room, and the team’s dream playoff run was suddenly looking like a nightmare without its top scorer.

But less than three minutes later, there was center Lars Eller smiling and laughing in disbelief. “What a pass,” he said to Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny as the two hugged. They had connected for a tally that tied the game and seemed to revive Washington as the team reeled off three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. Eller played a part in all three, assisting on Alex Ovechkin’s and Brooks Orpik’s goals in the second period.

Kuznetsov didn’t return to the game, and it’s unclear how long Washington might have to play without its No. 1 center. But on Wednesday night, the Capitals persevered in large part because of Eller’s effort against the Golden Knights, tying the series with the next two games in Washington. It was the first Stanley Cup finals game win in franchise history.

The most unlikely of gamewinning goals came 9:41 into the second period, from a stay-at-home defenseman who hadn’t scored in more than two years. Eller carried the puck into the offensive zone before passing it to Orpik. Orpik’s point shot clipped forward Alex Tuch’s elbow, taking an unpredictable bounce in front of Vegas goaltender Marc-andre Fleury to get past him and lift Washington to a 3-1 lead. Orpik’s last goal was in February 2016.

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby finished with 37 saves.