CHICAGO – Alex Ovechkin was kicked out early, the Washington Capitals fell behind by three goals and that’s when they showed why they have the NHL’s best record and highest-scoring offense.
Nicklas Backstrom scored unassisted with 1:50 left in overtime — his second goal of the game — to give the Capitals a 4-3 comeback victory Sunday.
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“It’s a strong sign, especially now at the end of the season,” Backstrom said. “We know [Ovechkin] is a key to our team and he scores a lot of goals. We have shown that we can play, that our other key players can play, too.”
After his sprint up the side, Backstrom maneuvered around Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook in the left circle and beat Antti Niemi.
Ovechkin, the two-time MVP and the league’s leading scorer this season, got a game misconduct in the first period for knocking Chicago’s Brian Campbell into the boards.
“There’s nothing I can do right now. He just fell, and this happens,” Ovechkin said.
Jonathan Toews had two goals and John Madden scored once for the Blackhawks.
Down 3-0 in the third Sunday without their top player and with Niemi playing well, the Capitals dominated play.
Brooks Laich scored on a power play at 5:29 to make it 3-1. A couple of seconds after the Caps’ 5-on-3 power play had elapsed, Backstrom converted a rebound at 7:32. Thirteen seconds later, Eric Fehr scored from just outside the crease.
Ovechkin raced up the ice and from behind drove Campbell into the boards with 7:44 left in the first period.
Campbell stayed down for several minutes before he was able to leave the ice with a trainer at his side and then headed to the locker room. He did not return to the game. He has an upper-body injury and will not make the Blackhawks’ upcoming road trip to the West Coast.
