Rangers Crush Capitals Dreams With Game 7 OT Victory

Image courtesy of Zimbio

In a series in which every game was decided by a single goal, the Rangers and Capitals saved the best for last. Aside from Game 6, the Eastern Conference semifinals had been all about defense and goaltending, such was the case in the climactic Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

Washington struck first, and relatively fast, with superstar Alex Ovechkin netting his fifth goal of these playoffs at 7:10 of the first period, with assists from Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom.

The Caps held the lead until 13:38 of the second, when Kevin Hayes knotted things up 1-1. It was Hayes second goal of the postseason, with a little help from J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh.

Image courtesy of Zimbio

After that, it was Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby standing on their heads in goal through the rest of regulation and just over eight minutes of overtime. Holtby stopped 36 shots, with a save percetange of .972, while Lundqvist stopped 39, with a save percentage of .949.

In the end, however, it was Holtby and the Capitals who blinked first, as Derek Stepan ended the series at 8:36 of the overtime period with his third goal of the playoffs, with assists from Dan Giardi and Keith Yandle.

Unfortunately for fans in Washington, they’re all too used to this painful ending. Their loss to the Rangers was the fifth time in franchise history they’ve lost a series after going up 3-1. They extended the NHL record which they were already in firm possession of.

Another year without a cup for Alex Ovechkin.

The Rangers move on to the Easter Conference finals for the second straight year, this time they will face off against Steven Stamkos an the Lightning.