Caps Storm Back To Beat Habs-Caps 6, Habs 5 (OT)

The Montreal Canadiens built up a 3 goal lead, but ended up on the losing end of a 6-5 overtime game against the Washington Capitals. With the win, the Caps tied the series up at 1 heading to Montreal. The Canadiens started quickly with Brian Gionta scoring a minute in followed by Andrei Kostistyn at the 7:58 mark to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead and chase Jose Theodore from the Caps net. Washington would get one back before the end of the opening frame, but Andrei Kostitsyn scored 2 more in the 2nd to finish off the hat trick. The Caps cut the lead to 4-2 and then tied it to open the 3rd period as they scored twice in the opening 10 minutes. But Tomas Plekanec again put the Canadiens ahead only to see Washington tie it with under 2 minutes to play, then win it early in overtime. A. Kostistyn ended the night with 4 points, while Mike Cammalleri had 3 and Tomas Plekanec 2. Jaroslav Halak made 31 saves in a losing effort, while the Caps goalies combined to make 19 saves. The Montreal power play went 1/3, while the PK was perfect again killing all 3 Caps chances. The TSN crew questioned the Caps 2nd goal claiming goalie interference and Maguire even disagreed with a 3rd period penalty on Hall Gill. This confirmed the refing against the Canadiens tonight was god awful. Some other thoughts from a heart breaker:

>Pleks and company were on fire today combining for 9 points. Great to see Big Tits light the lamp.

>The Caps crashed the crease all night and it appeared to affect the play of Halak. The defence is going to have to do a better job of standing up, something they did perfectly in game 1, but the last 2 goals were a direct result of the defenders giving the Caps too much time.

>Sergei Kostitsyn didn't see the ice in the 3rd after the Caps 2nd goal. With the leash Martin has him on I would say there is a good chance we could see him in the press box for game 3.

I'm not going to lie, that game was a pretty big disappointment. The Habs built a nice lead, but couldn't hold on. Taking both games in Washington would have been massive, but a split isn't too bad either. Hopefully they can get off to a good start in Montreal and get the Bell Centre rocking. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game goes to Andrei Kostitsyn. Not much doubt about this one, hat trick and 4 points overall. Consideration also given to Gionta and Plekanec. Game 3 is Monday night at the Bell Centre.