defective 'lytics abound in every piece of electronics . some due to age, some due to product design .
most SMPS's will have a "small" value cap as part of B+ filtering to the osc. ( typ 22-100uf )
there may be a pair or single resistor from raw B+ to this cap .
typical voltage here is <25v . absence could be open res or cap/IC shorted .
any bulged/domed/puffed ( whatever you wish to call 'em ) cap should be suspect.
"testing" an HOT with a meter will only tell if shorted or leaky .
with a TO-3P case style the collector is the center pin with base / emitter on outside legs
many H output xistors have an internal bias resistor ( 47 ohm typical ) connecting base/emitter as well as a damper diode ( reversed biased, collector - to emitter + ).
that said , there should not be any leakage measurable from collector to base/emitter except perhaps one way if has damper
bear in mind , the xistor is subjected to typical dc voltages exceeding 100v and dc pulses ranging 900+Vpp when operating .
the wire described may well be the focus lead to the CRT .
it attaches to the CRT Socket and carries the 8Kv to 12Kv needed by the focus grid
best to have it properly terminated at these voltages