NHL roundup: Caps beat Hurricanes in OT, take 2-0 series lead

Defenseman Brooks Orpik scored 1:48 into overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 4-3 victory over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday afternoon.

Apr 13, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) shoots the puck on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) in the first period in game two of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Capitals have a 2-0 lead in this series, which shifts to Carolina for the next two games, starting Monday. Orpik’s game-winner was just his fourth goal in 151 NHL playoff games.

His timing was perfect on Saturday as Evgeny Kuznetsov found him from behind the cage coming off the bench, and Orpik got an opening because the Carolina player defending him didn’t have a stick. He then fired a shot past goalie Petr Mrazek (29 saves).

Washington took a 3-2 lead when Tom Wilson took an Alex Ovechkin pass and scored 8:55 into the third period. But the Capitals couldn’t hold it as the Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal redirected a Dougie Hamilton shot past Braden Holtby (25 saves) with five minutes left for a game-tying power-play goal that tied the score at 3 and forced overtime.

Avalanche 3, Flames 2 (OT)

Nathan MacKinnon scored the overtime winner as visiting Colorado claimed a victory over Calgary to even their opening-round series at one win apiece.

Right after Calgary’s Michael Frolik was stymied on a glorious opportunity, MacKinnon took a pass from Mikko Rantanen, sped down his off-wing and wired a glove-side wrist shot for the winner at 8:27 of the extra frame.

The Flames had taken a 2-1 lead with 7:33 remaining in regulation on a goal by Sean Monahan, but J.T. Compher tied it up with 2:39 left, shortly after the Avalanche pulled Philipp Grubauer for an extra attacker. Grubauer finished with 35 saves, while Mike Smith made 36 for Calgary.

Predators 2, Stars 1 (OT)

Craig Smith scored at 5:00 of overtime in Game 2 as Nashville defeated visiting Dallas.

Rocco Grimaldi also scored for the Predators, who evened the first-round Western Conference playoff series at a game apiece. Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night in Dallas. Goaltender Pekka Rinne made 22 saves.

Jamie Benn scored the lone goal for the Stars, who won 3-2 in Game 1 and were looking to return home with a two-game edge. Goalie Ben Bishop stopped 40 of 42 shots but suffered the first overtime playoff defeat of his career after five straight wins.

Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 1

Brad Marchand had a goal and an assist, and Boston defeated visiting Toronto to even the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series at 1-1.

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Charlie Coyle, Danton Heinen and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins. Nazem Kadri scored for the Maple Leafs in the third period but slightly more than three minutes later was given a game misconduct and a cross-checking penalty.

Boston goalie Tuukka Rask stopped 30 shots. Frederik Andersen made 37 saves, several spectacular, for the Maple Leafs.

—Field Level Media

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