In what was certainly an odd sequence of events, the second period would end up nearly identical as the first. This time, with Boston holding the early edge and Washington finishing strong.

Boston would jump out to a hot start, keeping the pressure on the Caps’ end for almost the entire first half of the period. Just prior to the five minute mark, the red-hot Jordan Caron would disrupt an Alex Ovechkin up-ice rush and deflect the puck to a streaking Brad Marchand. Marchand would take advantage of the break, beating Vokoun five hole to even the score at two a piece.

Things then turned ugly for a Boston team that would finish the frame by taking three ill-advised penalties, including a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct (David Krejci). The Caps would regain the lead at the 11:22 mark when Jay Beagle fired one past Tim Thomas after an unfortunate mishap behind the net between Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid. Just five minutes later, Washington would extend their lead when Brooks Laich redirected a Dennis Wideman pass into the Boston net with only three seconds left on the Caps’ third power-play of the period.