Game 2 was exactly as advertised.
The Columbus Blue Jackets followed a similar script as Game 1 and let the Washington Capitals get out to an early lead. It wasn't the soundest of strategies, but they once again made it work. The followed the script all the way down to the overtime winning goal
The first-period tape will likely be thrown away after the Blue Jackets let in two goals. One from Jay Beagle and one from Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin's was of the power play variety. Before the Capitals were able to put the game away, Blue Jackets' forward Cam Atkinson was able to pitch in with a breakaway goal bringing the game to a one-goal deficit.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| CAPITALS | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
The second period was all Blue Jackets. Ovechkin had another power play goal but after that the Blue Jackets put the pedal to the medal. Josh Anderson, Cam Atkinson, and Zach Werenski would all contribute goals. Atkinson's and Werenski's goals in the second period would both be on the power play. The Blue Jackets made them pay when they needed to.
The third period started with the Capitals putting the pressure on the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets looked flat from the start and weren't able to put shots on Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby who entered the game during the third period.
The second-half of the third period was all about the Blue Jackets trying to stop the Capitals at all costs. They were blocking shots and not allowing for much room. The team got a couple of odd-man rushes out of it but mostly stayed in the defensive zone.
They would take penalty after penalty before the Capitals would tie it up with just under four minutes remaining in the third period. It brought life to Capital One Arena when there wasn't any for long stretches of time. The Blue Jackets would tempt fate one more time during regulation by taking one more penalty that would take them into overtime.
In overtime, Matt Calvert happened. The Blue Jacket playoff overtime hero of years past, snuck a rebound past Holtby at 12:22 of the first sudden death session. It was the fourth playoff goal of Calvert's career.
Calvert's goal would be reviewed for offside, but the call would stand. It was par for the course as the game was an absolute roller coaster of emotions.
Injury Update
Alex Wennberg is day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered in Game 1.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets take a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, April 17. The game will air on NBCSN and Fox Sports Ohio. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
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