The Capitals withstood Vegas’ early offensive surge as Evgeny Kuznetsov tallied a game-high four assists to win their third consecutive game, pushing the Golden Knights to the brink of elimination.

Vegas’ James Neal stared at an empty Capitals’ net early in the first period. Neal, who seemed like he was analyzing the perfect spot to place the puck, may have waited too long as he sent the shot off of the post behind Washington’s Braden Holtby. Nine minutes later, T.J. Oshie found the puck on his stick to put Washington in front 1-0. Tom Wilson and Devante Smith-Pelly added to Washington’s lead. The Capitals scored three unanswered goals in the first period, with two of the three goals made possible by Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov, who solidified his Conn Smythe resume, has tallied 31 points throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’s five points shy of Evgeny Malkin’s mark in 2009 for most points in a single postseason. 

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“They definitely came with a bit of energy to start,” John Carlson told NBC Sports following the game. “I like the way we responded and got that first goal. I think that jumpstarted our offense.”

Washington added another goal by the start of the third period. Vegas finally broke Holtby, who made 28 saves, 5:43 into the final period. Neal squeezed the puck for his sixth goal of the playoffs. Reilly Smith added another seven minutes later to cut Washington’s, once comfortable, lead in half.

After a flurry of penalties that resulted in Oshie/Reaves/Engelland/Smith-Pelly all to the penalty box, Washington seized Game 4 after scoring two goals to put the game out of reach for the Golden Knights. 

Sporting News provided updates throughout Game 4 (All Times Eastern)

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Third Period

10:58 —  Reaves and Smith-Pelly receive matching minors. The Capitals win, regardless, and are one win away from the Stanley Cup.  Capitals win 6-2.

10:56 —  Salt in the wound. Brett Connolly scores on the two-man advantage. Assisted by Backstrom and Kuznetsov. Capitals lead 6-2. 

10:54 —  It’s mayhem on the ice right now. Oshie and Engelland receive misconduct penalties. 

10:51 —  Nate Schmidt to the penalty box. Washington, who is two for three on the man advantage, looks to cushion its lead. Brayden McNabb hits Oshie in the back and the Caps have a five on three with under three minutes left.

10:44 —  Capitals answer right back. Michal Kempny regains Washington’s three-goal lead. Assisted by Backstrom.  Capitals lead 5-2.

10:42 —  Ryan Reaves and Tom Wilson exchange a few words. They both head to the box and we get four-on-four hockey.

10:38 —  Here come the Golden Knights! Reilly Smith cuts Washington’s lead in half. Assisted by Marchessault and Sbisa.  Capitals lead 4-2.

10:34 —  We are officially under 10 minutes remaining in the third. Vegas is running out of time for a comeback, but have surely dictated much of the play. Washington has gone nearly four minutes without a shot on goal.

10:25 —  Ovechkin cuts in on Fleury, who stacks the pads to make the save. Washington narrowly outshooting Vegas 4-3 in the period as we close in on the halfway mark.

10:22 —  The Golden Knights finally get one past Holtby. James Neal redeems himself from the first period mistake to squeeze the puck under Holtby’s arm. Assisted by Erik Haula and Colin Miller.  Capitals lead 4-1.

10:20 —  Washington manages two shots on the power play. Now it’s Vegas’ turn on the power play. Kuznetsov for tripping.

10:17 —  Erik Haula knocks the stick out of Alex Ovechkin’s hands. Haula to the penalty box for slashing. Capitals have a chance to put this out of Vegas’ reach. 

10:13 —  The Capitals hope this is the last 20 minutes of the game. The third period is underway. Meanwhile Vegas is looking for answers:

Second Period

9:54 —  Good news for the Golden Knights: They outshot Washington 11-5 in the second period. Bad news: Washington outscored them 1-0. Second period comes to an end with the Capitals up 4-0.

9:45 —  John Carlson makes Vegas pay. Carlson scores his fifth goal of the playoffs. Assisted by Kuznetsov and Oshie.  Capitals lead 4-0.

9:40 —  Washington receives another chance on the power play. James Neal heads to the penalty box for slashing. Not quite what the Golden Knights need at this moment. 

9:38 —  Capital One Arena breaks out into a minor “Fleury” chant. But the Capitals are being outshot 20-13 though two periods. 

9:33 —  The Golden Knights are unable to score on the power play. They are 0-for-3 tonight. Eight minutes remaining in the period.

9:29 —  Washington might be in some trouble. The Golden Knights, again, hit the post before Holtby gets in front of the ensuing shot. Tom Wilson heads to the penalty box for crosschecking. Vegas to its third power play of the night.

9:24 —  Vegas manages two shots on the man-advantage but, as Braden Holtby flashes the glove, the Golden Knights’ power play comes to an end. Vegas outshooting the Capitals, 7-2 in the period.

9:21 — William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault break out on a two on one. John Carlson trips Karlsson to prevent the score, taking his second penalty of the night. Vegas to the power play. Can Vegas can get on the board?

9:17 —  Colin Miller has Vegas’ best chance. Miller, wide open at the point, unleashes a slap shot on Holtby but the latter sets it aside with the pad.

9:15 —  Two minutes into the period, Vegas already has three shots on net. It seems like something was said during the intermission because Vegas, like the first, came out strong in the second period. 

9:13 —  Second period is underway. Let’s see if the Golden Knights can mount a comeback.

First Period

8:54 —  Washington and Vegas are knotted up at 10 shots apiece, but the Capitals end the first period ahead 3-0. 

8:52 —  Devante Smith-Pelly puts Washington ahead 3-0 with 20.5 seconds remaining in the first period. Assisted by Alex Ovechkin and Matt Niskanen  Capitals lead 3-0.

8:48 —  The Capitals were swarming in the Vegas’ zone and it pays off. Tom Wilson beats Marc-Andre Fleury and Washington expands its lead. Assisted by Kuznetsov.  Capitals lead 2-0.

8:40 —  Under 10 minutes remaining in the period, Vegas and the Capitals each have six shots.

8:34 —  T.J. Oshie cashes in on the power play.   Assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom.  Capitals lead 1-0.

8:31 —  Lars Eller draws a tripping penalty on Vegas. Washington is headed to the power play, now. 

8:26 —  James Neal completely misses the Capitals’ empty net. Braden Holtby was down and out, but Neal was unable to give Vegas the lead.

8:25 —  John Carlson trips up Erik Haula. Vegas heads to the power play. 

8:22 —  Vegas’ offense looks strong coming out of the gate. Golden Knights nearly convert early but the puck hits the post.

8:20 —  Anthem has concluded, and it’s time to drop the puck. Game 4 is underway!

Pregame

8:00 —  Bryce Harper sighting. Harper chose to don the Jonathan Marchessault jersey.

7:45 —  The Golden Knights will look like this tonight.

5:00 p.m. —  Vegas’ social media account is ready for tonight.

Noon  — Barry Trotz speaks with the media beforehand.

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