Overtime was an absolute battle, as expected.
A battle so grand neither team could capitalize for the win. Quality looks denied by the phenomenal goaltending of both Sergei Bobrovsky and Braden Holtby meant a second overtime was needed to determine a winner in the third game of this opening round match-up.
The Blue Jackets' series lead shrunk to 2-1 following the loss.
Bobrovsky and Holtby were on point the entire night, with the former stopping 42 of 45 shots that came his way.
Artemi Panarin provided a lot of energy for the Blue Jackets as well, scoring one of the goals and assisting on the other.
In the end, it just wasn't enough as the Capitals pushed through a game winner from Lars Eller nine minutes into the second overtime.
A record crowd of 19,337 was on hand for the loss, which set the franchise record for longest game.
This was a contest of constant momentum swings.
Momentum seemed to shift after a goal by the Washington Capitals was overturned in the second period. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella issued a challenge that resulted in forward Brett Connolly being ruled offsides prior to the goal.
It was only a matter of time before Pierre-Luc Dubois sniped home an equalizer on a crisp pass from Artemi Panarin.
19 years old and firing rockets in the playoffs. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/CR5kGxkpdg
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 18, 2018
The Capitals got it back after Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Murray slashed two different sticks held by Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana within 70 seconds of each other. The Capitals wasted no time converting the 5-on-3 opportunity into a John Carlson goal to seize a 2-1 lead.
Then the Blue Jackets grabbed momentum back on a gorgeous passing sequence between Panarin and Cam Atkinson.
Panarin and Atkinson put John Carlson on spin cycle here. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/DDSGratTIj
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 18, 2018
Shots were a near-even 7-6 in favor of the Blue Jackets during the first overtime, with Cam Atkinson coming closest to winning the game for Columbus with a missile that hit the post.
Injury Update
Alex Wennberg remained out with an upper body injury. There is no timetable for Lukas Sedlak’s return from a concussion.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets and Capitals face off in Game 4 at Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Ohio.
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