Brandon Carlo scored a late game winning goal on Monday night, as the Boston Bruins erased a 3-0 deficit and defeated the Washington Capitals 5-3 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The loss is the first regulation defeat for the Capitals this season.
Washington (6-1-3) had a first period goal waved off after review, as they had gone offsides prior to the tally. The Capitals overcame that to score two goals in just 11 seconds to take a 2-0 lead. Old friend Zdeno Chara scored at 13:26, followed by one from Daniel Sprong at 13:37. John Carlson made it 3-0 on the powerplay at 8:35 of the second, after Boston had failed on a 5 on 3 powerplay situation four minutes prior. David Pastrnak got the Bruins on the board at 12:37 with his first of the season in just his second game following off season surgery. Pastrnak then cut the deficit to just a goal scoring at 6:08 of the third to cut it to 3-2. The three goal comeback was complete when Craig Smith tied it scoring off a beautiful setup by Jeremy Lauzon at 13:07. Carlo scored the game winner stepping into a one timer from just outside the right faceoff dots on a Sean Kuraly feed at 17:23. Brad Marchand put it away with an empty net goal at 18:34, the fourth goal of the third period for the guests.
Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves for the win in net for Boston, who now improves to 6-1-2 on the season earning at least a point in six straight games. Pastrnak had the two goals and Marchand had a goal and an assist to lead the offensive output. Jakub Vrana had two assists as the only multiple point scorer in the Washington loss, and Vitek Vanecek made 28 stops in net. The Bruins are in Philadelphia to face the Flyers on Wednesday night.
