Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and two assists, and Alex Ovechkin scored once, leading the Washington Capitals and fill-in goalie Philipp Grubauer past the New York Islanders 4-3 Friday night to even their first-round playoff series at a game each.
After Washington’s two stars – Ovechkin led the NHL in goals, Backstrom was No. 1 in assists – were reunited on the top line, both scored to erase a 3-1 deficit. Jason Chimera netted the go-ahead goal with 12 1/2 minutes left.
It was the first time the Capitals had led in the series, which moves to New York for Game 3 on Sunday.
Grubauer was called up from the minors Friday to replace starting goalie Braden Holtby, who was ill. Grubauer, a 23-year-old from Germany, made 18 saves.
CANADIENS 3, SENATORS 2, OT
Alex Galchenyuk scored on a spin-around shot 3:40 into overtime, leading Montreal past the Ottawa Senators and giving the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Max Pacioretty, back from a concussion that sidelined him in Game 1, and P.K. Subban scored in regulation for the Canadiens, while David Desharnais picked up an assist on each.
Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch scored for the Senators, and Mark Stone added two assists.
Carey Price stopped 29 shots for Montreal, while Ottawa’s Andrew Hammond made 38 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday in Ottawa.
PREDATORS 6, BLACKHAWKS 2
Craig Smith scored the first two playoff goals of his career and added an assist, as Nashville beat Chicago to tie the Western Conference opening-round playoff series at a game apiece.
The Predators won for the first time since clinching a postseason berth on March 28. Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for the win and even had an assist.
Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist, and Colin Wilson, Roman Josi and Mike Santorelli each scored a goal. Nashville lost captain Shea Weber to a lower-body injury nearly midway through the second period.
Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane scored for Chicago, which hosts Game 3 on Sunday.
CANUCKS 4, FLAMES 1
Eddie Lack made 22 saves as Vancouver defeated Calgary to even the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
Daniel Sedin, Chris Higgins, Ronalds Kenins and Radim Vrbata – into an empty net – scored for the Canucks, who snapped a seven-game losing streak at home in the playoffs dating to the 2011 Stanley Cup final.
Kris Russell scored late in the third period for the Flames to end Lack’s shutout bid.
The physical game was capped by a full brawl late in the third with fights erupting all over the ice deep in the Vancouver zone after a whistle.
Calgary hosts Game 3 on Sunday. (AP)
