Capitals win in overtime, square with Bruins

BOSTON (AP) Washington's Nicklas Backstrom scored in second overtime to give the Capitals a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday, tying their NHL first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Troy Brouwer opened the scoring for the Capitals in the second period, and Boston's Benoit Pouliot tied it with 7:47 left in regulation.

The winner came when Washington won a faceoff in the Boston zone and Marcus Johansson got the puck from behind the net. He passed it to Backstrom at the left faceoff circle and he wristed it past Bruins goalie Tim Thomas on his stick side.

Thomas made 37 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions while Capitals goalie Braden Holtby stopped 43 shots in his second career playoff game.

Boston won the opener 1-0 in overtime Thursday. Game 3 is Monday in Washington.

Updated April 14, 2012