Capitals beat Bruins 2-1 to level series 2-2
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By Steve Ginsburg
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Washington Capitals overcame the absence of Nicklas Backstrom and a 45-21 disadvantage in shots on goal to defeat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday and level their Eastern Conference first round playoff best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Braden Holtby, Washington's 22-year-old rookie netminder, was brilliant in goal, repeatedly stopping Boston drives to the net with acrobatic saves.
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Washington scored the game-winner with just 1:17 left in the second period when Alexander Semin blasted a shot from the left wing circle past Boston's veteran netminder Tim Thomas.
Semin's goal gave Washington a 2-1 lead and Holtby thereafter enabled the Capitals to preserve the lead.
Washington set the tone just 1:22 into the game when Marcus Johansson flicked a wrist shot into the net, beating Thomas high to the glove side for his first goal of the series.
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The score ignited the crowd of nearly 19,000 and vanquished any fears the Capitals would suffer any fallout from the loss of Backstrom, who was suspended for cross-checking Rich Peverley in the face at the end of Boston's 4-3 victory on Monday.
Peverley tied the score at 1-1 with less than seven minutes left in the opening period when he fired the puck from the right wing circle through the legs of Holtby.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)