Rangers Look to Even Series at 3-3 with Capitals
The NHL Playoffs continue on Sunday when the New York Rangers visit the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinals. The Capitals lead the series 3-2. The current line has Washington favored at -115 with the goal total on 5.
On Friday, the Rangers beat back elimination with a dramatic win in overtime and look to level the series at 3-3 today to send the series back to their home ice for a seventh and deciding game.
In Game 5, Chris Kreider scored late to tie the game while Ryan McDonagh scored to win it in overtime.
The Rangers, who this season won the President’s Trophy, have had every one of their 10 games in the postseason decided by 1 goal, which make 12 consecutive postseason games dating back to last year’s playoffs.
While Rick Nash the team’s leading scorer has not scored in eight games, Kreider added to his postseason legacy that is growing each game with a clutch goal with only 1:41 left in regulation.
It was his 14th career goal in the postseason and second in this series.
Derek Stepan a forward for New York said the team has needed someone to step up and score timely goals and Kreider came through big on Friday with his one-timer.
Alex Ovechkin the superstar for Washington appeared ready to dominate this series after he scored in Games 1 and 2 including a tally in Game 2 that was seen on highlight reels for days.
However, he has been held from scoring in the past three games. He said that his next goal would be a big one. He wants to close the series to get rest and not to allow the Rangers to get more confidence with a Game 6 win.
Washington has scored just eight goals in the first five games of this series and its No. 1 ranked power play during the just completed regular season has had just eight chances versus the Rangers with just one conversion, back in Game 1.
Braden Holtby the Capitals goalie gave up one goal in games 3 and 4 at home earlier in the series. Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist has allowed 11 goals in his past eight games. Ovechkin has not been held scoreless in four consecutive games since last November and early December.
The home team has won in each of the past four games between the teams. The UNDER has cashed in 19 of the past 26 games between the two teams.
Pick: Rangers in OT 2-1
