Games
Washington Capitals 2 - New York Rangers 1
Both teams started off well, exchanging chances to open the scoring. It wasn't until late in the first when the back of the net was found. A powerplay for the Capitals led to Alex Ovechkin skating in and released a shot from the top of the faceoff circle. It went over Lundqvist and into the net, as Washington took a 1-0 lead. Just like the first, both teams had chances in the second to score, but failed to put the puck in the net. The Rangers pressed early in the third, looking for the equalizer. They would net get it until later in the period though. Under five minutes remaining in the period, Jesper Fast got enough of Kevin Hayes shot to tip it past Braden Holtby. Time was winding down, as overtime looked like it was certain. With seconds left in the period, Dan Boyle protected the puck in the corner in hopes of killing off remaining time. That attempt was short-lived, as Nicklas Backstorm hit him, loosening the puck. Ovechkin collected the puck and dished it to Joel Ward near the crease, who wasted no time shooting it past Lundqvist. The Rangers argued the hit should have been a boarding call, but to no avail. The last second goal gave Washington the win, putting them ahead 1-0 in the series.
Washington Capitals 2 - New York Rangers 3
Looking to right the wrong from last game, it didn't take long for the Rangers to strike. Chris Kreider put home a rebound 38 seconds into the opening frame, giving New York a 1-0 lead. Washington had a great chance minutes later, but Ovechkin could not put the puck over an outstretched Lundqvist. A hooking penalty later in the period by Ward was costly for the Capitals. Dan Boyle kept the puck in on a clearing attempt and blasted one at the net. The puck managed to beat Holtby, who was screened on the play. Midway though the second, the Capitals had a chance to tie the game. Ovechkin found a wide open Evgeny Kuznetsov, who quickly got off a shot. Lundqvist got over in time, making a highlight reel save on the shot. Kuznetsov got the last laugh minutes later, as he finished off a rebound to put the Capitals on the board. That was the only goal in the period, as both goalies kept the puck out of the net. That changed six minutes into the third period. Martin St. Louis' pass eventually found Derick Brassard near the net, who proceeded to beat Holtby 5-hole. The Rangers' extended lead was short-lived. Minutes later, Ovechkin skated in, beat two Rangers defenders, and shot the puck while falling down. His shot beat Lundqvist's blocker side, and pulled the Capitals to within a goal. Washington made a late push to tie the game, but could not beat Lundqvist for a third time. New York held on to win Game 2, tying the series at 1-1.
New York Rangers 0 - Washington Capitals 1
The series shifted to Washington for Game 3. It looked to a goalie duel, as Lundqvist and Holtby stopped every shot they saw. It took until seven minutes into the second period when the deadlock was finally broken. Jay Beagle's initial shot was stop, but he was able to collect the rebound. His wraparound attempt banked off Keith Yandle's skate, Lundqvist's skate, and into the Rangers net, giving the Capitals a 1-0 lead. That lucky bounce ended up being the only goal of the game, as neither team could solve the other's goalies. Holtby stopped 30 shots in the shutout effort. Washington's win put them back in the series lead.
New York Rangers 1 - Washington Capitals 2
Game 3 looked to shift over to Game 4, as Lundqvist and Holtby were solid in the first period. Brassard ended the tie in the second, getting behind the Capitals defense, receiving a pass from St. Louis, and beating Holtby glove side. Washington tied the game later in the period. Andre Burakovsky caused a turnover along the wall, skated into the slot, and shot the puck past Lundqvist's blocker. Burakovsky had the chance to make it 2-0 minutes later, but his shot missed the net. Burakovsky had another chance early in the third, and this time he made good on it. Skating in on a partial breakaway, Burakovsky cut in and beat Lundqvist with a backhand shot. It was almost 3-0, as Jason Chimera had a prime chance under a minute later. However, this time Lundqvist managed to make the save. The Ranger's best chance of the period came midway through the period, as Carl Hagelin drew a penalty shot. He could not convert on the attempt, as Holtby made the glove save to preserve Washington's lead. A tying goal was not meant to be, as the Capitals hung on to win Game 4. The win put Washington up 3-1 in the series, and pushes New York to the brink of elimination.
Washington Capitals 1 - New York Rangers 2 (OT)
Both teams came out firing in the first, with the Rangers leading the way in shot attempts. Both goalies kept the door shut though, as the first period ended with a 0-0 tie. There were a couple of close calls in the second. New York's best chance came 12 minutes into the period, as Kreider's shot trickled past Holtby and came close to the goal line. Luckily for Washington, Matt Niskanen was there to clear the puck before it touched the line. The Capitals looked to have scored with minutes left in the period. Niskanen's point shot bounced off of Ward and into the net. It was waved off though, as it was determined Ward interfered with Lundqvist. An actual goal eventually happened. Midway through the third, Curtis Glencross found himself on a breakaway. His initial shot was stopped, but his second shot bounced its way into the Rangers net. Time would tick away, as the Rangers tried to find an equalizer. It finally happened with under two minutes to go in regulation. Kreider's one-timer from the top of the faceoff circle beat Holtby to tie the game. Overtime was needed to solve the game. It took nine and a half minutes until a goal was scored. Derek Stepan dropped a pass for Ryan McDonagh, who snapped it past Holtby. New York's overtime win pulled them to within a game in the series.
New York Rangers 4 - Washington Capitals 3
It didn't take long for the Rangers to take the lead in Game 6. Kreider fended off Niskanen and backhanded the puck past Holtby. New York kept the pressure up, but Holtby was able to turn aside those chances. The teams were almost shot-for-shot in the first, as the Rangers put up 20 to the Capitals 17. The last shot of the period was by the Ranger, specifically Kreider, as he scored with 0.3 seconds left. It was the Capitals turn to strike early in a period. Just 28 seconds into the second period, Jason Chimera poked home a loose puck to pull Washington to within a goal. The Capitals kept up the shots in the second, and got multiple chances. Lundqvist was up to the task though, stopping Washington for the remainder of the period. It was another period, another quick goal in the third. Rick Nash cut across and beat an outstretched Holtby, putting the Rangers up 3-1. A Dan Boyle one-timer minutes later made it 4-1 Rangers. That was the last shot New York managed in the period, as it was all Washington after that. Kuznetsov scored minutes after Boyle thanks to a turnover in the Rangers zone. Ward put home a rebound midway through the third, as it pulled the Capitals closer to tying the game. Despite Washington's pressure, they could not produce an equalizer. New York won Game 6, forcing the series to go the distance.
Washington Capitals 1 - New York Rangers 2 (OT)
Both teams came out firing in the all-decisive Game 7. It was Washington who managed to strike first. Ovechkin's shot hit part of Lundqvist's glove and went into the back of the net. New York had a great chance to tie it up late in the period, as Nash went in alone on a breakaway. His shot was stopped by the stick of Holtby though, as the score remained 1-0 for Washington. The second was not a good one for Mike Green, as he took a couple of penalties, putting the Capitals in shorthanded situations. While the Capitals managed to kill off the first penalty, they could not kill off the second. J.T. Miller found Kevin Hayes near the net, as Hayes redirected the pass into the net to tie the game. Chances were exchanged in the second and third period, but neither team could find the go-ahead goal. Overtime was needed to decide a series winner. Washington had the better chances early in the extra frame, but could not convert. A couple of icings 11 minutes into overtime was costly for the Capitals. The Rangers won the draw and got it to Dan Girardi, who let go a point shot. Holtby stopped the shot, but the puck went right to an open Derek Stepan. Stepan quickly corralled the puck and put it on net. A desperate attempt to save the puck by Holtby proved unsuccessful, as it went into the net. Stepan's goal sealed the game, and the series, for New York, as they eliminated Washington.
Three Thoughts on the Series
- Another 3-1 series lead, another series loss for the Capitals (well documented by Down Goes Brown)
- Henrik Lundqvist is pretty consistent when Game 7 is played on May 13.
- I really wanted Ovi's "guarantee" to happen.
Right behind Sad Thornton, Sad Ovi.
Highlight of the Series
Nice goal by Ovi.
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