It was an exciting night for D.C. sports teams Tuesday, with a trifecta of thrilling wins.
Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) celebrates with Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) of Sweden as New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) leaves the ice with his head down after Backstrom scored in overtime of Game 4 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 2-1 to even the series at 2-2.
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin of Russia, right, reacts, after Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) of Sweden scored in overtime of Game 4 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, April 21, 2015 to give the Capitals a 2-1 overtime victory over the New York Islanders to even their series at 2-2. Backstrom celebrates with teammates, including Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52).
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives past Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) during the first half in Game 2 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs, Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Toronto.
(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
Washington Wizards’ Otto Porter Jr. (22) heads for the basket as Toronto Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the second half in Game 2 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs, Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Toronto.
(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP
Washington Nationals’ Yunel Escobar celebrates the game winning solo home run as he slides into home during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Washington. The Nationals won 2-1, in 10 innings.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper watches his RBI single to shallow left field during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON – It was an exciting night for D.C. sports teams Tuesday, with a trifecta of thrilling wins.
For the first time ever, the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards won their respective playoff games on the same night. Less than an hour later, the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals on an extra-inning, walk-off home run.
The Caps beat the New York Islanders, 2-1 in overtime, on a shot from Nicklas Backstrom. It was the second consecutive game in this series decided in overtime, after the Islanders’ 2-1 win on Sunday. The first round series is now even at 2-2 as it heads back to D.C. for Game 5.
John Wall had 26 points and 17 assists to lead the Wizards past the Toronto Raptors 117-106 for their second consecutive road win to begin their first round playoff series. Bradley Beal also scored 28 points, and Marcin Gortat added 16 of his own. The Wizards host Game 3 on Friday at the Verizon Center.
Meanwhile, after the Cardinals tied the game at one run apiece in the ninth, the Nationals walked off with a victory over St. Louis on Yunel Escobar’s second homer of the season in the bottom of the 10th inning. After starting the season 2-6, the Nats have now won five of their past six.
