BOSTON - Troy Brouwer scored the go-ahead goal with 1:27 remaining in the third period to lift visiting Washington to a 4-3 win and a 3-2 series lead over second-seeded Boston in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Braden Holtby made 34 saves to earn his third career playoff victory for the Capitals, who host Game 6 on Sunday.

After Benoit Pouliot took a controversial slashing penalty late in the final session, Brouwer closed in and fired over the shoulder of Tim Thomas for his second goal of the series.

Defenseman Johnny Boychuk blasted a one-timer past Holtby on the power play at 8:47 of the third period to knot the contest at 3-3. The goal was Boston's first with the man advantage in the series.

Former Bruin Mike Knuble capitalized on a fortuitous rebound by Thomas at 3:21 of the final frame to give Washington a 3-2 edge.

After a scoreless first period, play opened up in the second when the Capitals jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Alexander Semin's third goal of the series and Jay Beagle's first career playoff marker.

The Bruins rallied later in the period as defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Brad Marchand scored just 28 seconds apart to knot the contest at 2-2.

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GAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo suffered a lower-body injury while blocking a shot in the second period. He was forced to play limited minutes for the remainder of the game. ... Boychuk's power-play goal snapped a 0-for-14 slump for the Bruins with the man advantage in the series.