Capitals Locker Room: ‘Enough Was Enough’ vs. Isles, What Sparked Comeback

Halfway through the second period, the Washington Capitals were down 3-0, frustrated and out of it in a tough, critical division matchup against the New York Islanders. Then, Alex Ovechkin ignited the spark, and Washington found the answers they were looking for and managed to rally and dominate for a wild 4-3 comeback win over New York in overtime.

The Capitals are now four points clear of the Islanders and Penguins for a playoff spot.

Here's what Dmitry Orlov, Darcy Kuemper and T.J. Oshie had to say following the victory:

Dmitry Orlov

On his OT winner: "I look where’s the net and where’s Sonny, but he was kinda outside so I got me and goalie and, you know, just try to make a move and it’s work well and we win huge game. We need this two points and against division opponent. So, it’s not a great start from us, but I think second, third we play better and it’s why we come back and win this game. I think everybody was all in and I think when we start play physically, I think it kinda turned a little bit game for us.”

On Ovechkin's hit on Pageau being the turning point: “Yeah for sure. 100 percent. I think it turn game you know and we kind of start play more physical, get more offensive zone time. So it difference-maker for sure,  and we need to try to play like that every time you know because it’s our strength. I think we good on the forecheck and we good on the physical game.”

Darcy Kuemper

On his injury late in the game: “Yeah, I just kind of got hit in the side of the head with a shin pad coming across and then my neck just kind of jarred on me, so just wanted to talk to [Jason Serbus] and play it safe.”

On his save on Pageau's breakaway in OT: “I was just trying to stay patient on him. Tried to make a quick shot five hole. I was on it and was able to make the save.”

On the comeback and attitude change after going down by three: “There was no time to panic, we got down 3-0 there, and you could kind of see our attitude that enough was enough. We started taking it to them physically and were able to turn the tide, and that’s a huge comeback win that we can build off of."

T.J. Oshie

On his goal and physical play: “…A little frustration set in and I decided I was just gonna play a little more of a grinder style for the rest of the night, try to get some hits, go the net, get some tips and the one that went in felt nice. The team started playing pretty well at the point we were coming, we had some momentum to pop that one was great and i mean, Kuemps, he played phenomenal for us. And I know that’s not part of your question but just wanted to mention he was great especially the breakaway in the first minute of OT really helped us seal the deal. He was my number one star tonight.”

On the team's comeback win with Nic Dowd going down with injury early: “Yeah, important. It hurts us missing Dowder. He’s a big part of our team a big part of the face-offs for the centermen, big part of our PK and 5-on-5 in general. He does a great job out there every night. So to lose him was tough and the way we’ve been playing lately, to get a comeback win, sometimes that’s better than playing a full 60. You see how you don’t want to play, and then in the same game, you see how you do wanna play and see how much success you can have from it. So an important second half of the game there, important third period and OT."