Capitals lead the series 2-1
WASHINGTON (AP) Braden Holtby stood in a corner of the Washington Capitals' locker room, his arms folded across his chest, his voice low and monotone, his demeanor as steady and calm as when he was protecting the net.
''At times, I felt good. At other times, felt just like a normal game. Some days they go well. Some days they don't,'' Holtby said. ''I was just trying to do my part.''
He did it perfectly, actually.
Holtby made 30 saves for his second career playoff shutout and Jay Beagle took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to score his first goal of this postseason, giving the Capitals a 1-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night for a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
''When he plays like that, we feel confidence,'' said Washington's Alex Ovechkin, held without a goal for the first time in the series. ''It doesn't matter what's going to happen, he's just going to make a save and keep us in the game.''
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is at Washington on Wednesday night.
The line of Beagle, Troy Brouwer and Andre Burakovsky had zero goals through Washington's first nine games of these playoffs, but as Beagle put it: ''We felt like we had more to give.''
''When the third and fourth line can chip in, guys like us can chip in, it's huge,'' Beagle said. ''They're trying to shut down our top lines.''
Off passes from Brouwer and Burakovsky, Beagle took a shot that Henrik Lundqvist swept aside. But Beagle kept at it, going to the boards to collect the rebound, then swooping around the back of the goal for a backhand shove of the puck. It ricocheted off defenseman Keith Yandle near the post, then Lundqvist's left skate, and found its way to the net 7 1/2 minutes into the second period.
''Finally,'' Beagle said, ''I got a nice bounce.''
Lundqvist's take?
''It hit him, it hit me and it went in,'' the goalie said.
That gave Beagle three goals in 33 playoff games following a regular season in which he scored 10 times. He's better known for other contributions, such as winning faceoffs - and the Capitals held a 40-18 advantage in that category Monday - and helping out on defense.
''I love the skill of the game, but I have a special place in my heart for all the grinders, if you will. Guys like `Beags,''' Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.
At the other end, Holtby was at his glove-catching best, including stopping Martin St. Louis on a 1-on-1 six minutes after Beagle scored.
''We're just going to have to keep throwing pucks at the net, and getting bodies there,'' New York's Dan Girardi said. ''Do our best to make sure he can't see those shots and make sure we get some of those rebounds in front of the net.''
The crowd chanted Holtby's last name at the final buzzer, after a wild finish with Lundqvist off for an extra skater.
''A couple chaotic shifts,'' Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik called the ending.
The Rangers outshot the Capitals 30-22 overall, with 10 attempts on net in the third period. That doesn't include the 27 blocks by Washington's skaters.
''Those scrums in and around the crease, they can be a little bit frantic, just trying to tie up sticks, knock guys over,'' Brouwer said. ''Sometimes you don't even know where the puck is. You're just kind of swinging at air, and hopefully you hit something.''
This was the type of nail-biter the Rangers play: They have participated in 10 consecutive playoff games decided by one goal, an NHL record.
And in seven of its eight games in this year's playoffs, New York has allowed two goals or fewer.
But under first-year coach Trotz, and with Holtby matching Lundqvist save for save, the Capitals are proving just as adept at this sort of tight, low-scoring hockey.
''That's a tough way to lose,'' Rangers left wing Rick Nash said, ''especially when how good our goalie played gives us a chance.''
NOTES: Nash took seven shots and leveled Orpik early in the third period, but remains without a goal in the series. ... Lundqvist appeared in his 100th career playoff game, the 17th goalie in NHL history to reach that number.
WASHINGTON (AP) Braden Holtby stood in a corner of the Washington Capitals' locker room, his arms folded across his chest, his voice low and monotone, his demeanor as steady and calm as when he was protecting the net.
''At times, I felt good. At other times, felt just like a normal game. Some days they go well. Some days they don't,'' Holtby said. ''I was just trying to do my part.''
He did it perfectly, actually.
Holtby made 30 saves for his second career playoff shutout and Jay Beagle took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to score his first goal of this postseason, giving the Capitals a 1-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night for a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
''When he plays like that, we feel confidence,'' said Washington's Alex Ovechkin, held without a goal for the first time in the series. ''It doesn't matter what's going to happen, he's just going to make a save and keep us in the game.''
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is at Washington on Wednesday night.
The line of Beagle, Troy Brouwer and Andre Burakovsky had zero goals through Washington's first nine games of these playoffs, but as Beagle put it: ''We felt like we had more to give.''
''When the third and fourth line can chip in, guys like us can chip in, it's huge,'' Beagle said. ''They're trying to shut down our top lines.''
Off passes from Brouwer and Burakovsky, Beagle took a shot that Henrik Lundqvist swept aside. But Beagle kept at it, going to the boards to collect the rebound, then swooping around the back of the goal for a backhand shove of the puck. It ricocheted off defenseman Keith Yandle near the post, then Lundqvist's left skate, and found its way to the net 7 1/2 minutes into the second period.
''Finally,'' Beagle said, ''I got a nice bounce.''
Lundqvist's take?
''It hit him, it hit me and it went in,'' the goalie said.
That gave Beagle three goals in 33 playoff games following a regular season in which he scored 10 times. He's better known for other contributions, such as winning faceoffs - and the Capitals held a 40-18 advantage in that category Monday - and helping out on defense.
''I love the skill of the game, but I have a special place in my heart for all the grinders, if you will. Guys like `Beags,''' Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.
At the other end, Holtby was at his glove-catching best, including stopping Martin St. Louis on a 1-on-1 six minutes after Beagle scored.
''We're just going to have to keep throwing pucks at the net, and getting bodies there,'' New York's Dan Girardi said. ''Do our best to make sure he can't see those shots and make sure we get some of those rebounds in front of the net.''
The crowd chanted Holtby's last name at the final buzzer, after a wild finish with Lundqvist off for an extra skater.
''A couple chaotic shifts,'' Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik called the ending.
The Rangers outshot the Capitals 30-22 overall, with 10 attempts on net in the third period. That doesn't include the 27 blocks by Washington's skaters.
''Those scrums in and around the crease, they can be a little bit frantic, just trying to tie up sticks, knock guys over,'' Brouwer said. ''Sometimes you don't even know where the puck is. You're just kind of swinging at air, and hopefully you hit something.''
This was the type of nail-biter the Rangers play: They have participated in 10 consecutive playoff games decided by one goal, an NHL record.
And in seven of its eight games in this year's playoffs, New York has allowed two goals or fewer.
But under first-year coach Trotz, and with Holtby matching Lundqvist save for save, the Capitals are proving just as adept at this sort of tight, low-scoring hockey.
''That's a tough way to lose,'' Rangers left wing Rick Nash said, ''especially when how good our goalie played gives us a chance.''
NOTES: Nash took seven shots and leveled Orpik early in the third period, but remains without a goal in the series. ... Lundqvist appeared in his 100th career playoff game, the 17th goalie in NHL history to reach that number.
Capitals lead the series 3-1
WASHINGTON (AP) Back when he was 7, Andre Burakovsky tagged along to watch his father play in a professional hockey game in Sweden. The opposing goalie was none other than Henrik Lundqvist.
Burakovsky, now barely 20 and an NHL rookie with the Capitals, found himself facing Lundqvist, now the goalie for the Rangers, and the kid came through in a big way Wednesday night. Burakovsky scored his first two postseason goals and Braden Holtby saved a penalty shot, giving Washington a 2-1 victory over New York for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Capitals can close out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers in the best-of-seven series and advance to the conference finals for the first time in Alex Ovechkin's career by taking Game 5 in New York on Friday night.
''There's no shock. It's disappointment,'' said Lundqvist, who led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup finals last season. ''They're nothing really to figure out. We just need to score.''
Burakovsky tied Game 4 in the second period, then put Washington ahead to stay 24 seconds into the third.
''He's been a favorite goalie of (mine) since I grew up,'' Burakovsky said about his countryman Lundqvist. ''I've been watching him my whole life. It's a pretty special moment.''
Not bad for a guy who scored only nine goals in the regular season - and none since Feb. 15 - and was limited to 53 games with Washington, either because he was scratched or banished to the minors.
Coach Barry Trotz said he told Burakovsky: ''I'm not putting you back in the lineup `til you crack a smile again. If I see you moping around the dressing room, moping around because you're not playing, I will not put you in the lineup.''
Then, delivering the punch line, Trotz added: ''And he's always got a smile on his face now.''
Sure did Wednesday, particularly when Burakovsky was asked whether this was the highlight of his nascent career.
''I would say it's up there, for sure,'' he replied.
When a reporter wanted to know what could possibly beat this night, Burakovsky grinned broadly.
''I don't know,'' he said. ''Maybe it is the greatest moment.''
Might not have been had the Capitals not had Holtby protecting the net, finishing with 28 saves and lowering his goals-against average to 1.48 in these playoffs.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Holtby flicked his glove to catch Carl Hagelin's penalty shot and preserve the lead and help the Capitals win a fifth consecutive home game in the same postseason for the first time, according to STATS.
Hagelin broke in alone and Capitals defenseman Mike Green, chasing from behind, first poked at the left wing with his stick, then brought him down. When Holtby snatched the penalty shot, fans responded with earsplitting yells of ''Holt-bee! Holt-bee!'' and Green skated over from the bench area to give his goalie an appreciative tap with his stick.
''You go in there,'' Hagelin said, ''thinking you're going to score.''
As for whether Holtby knew how Hagelin would try to get the puck past him, Holtby said: ''Not really. I was just trying to be patient. ... Try not to think too much. Just react.''
The only goal allowed by Holtby over the past two games was scored by Derick Brassard a little more than six minutes into the second period Wednesday, making it 1-0 with assists from Martin St. Louis and Rick Nash, neither of whom has a goal in this series.
But New York's lead didn't last very long, thanks to Burakovsky, a first-round draft pick in 2013, who joined Evgeny Kuznetsov as a Capitals rookie making his mark on these playoffs. Kuznetsov has four goals, including the go-ahead score in Game 7 against the New York Islanders in the first round.
''We're pretty fortunate,'' Trotz said. ''We've got two young guys that have a lot of ability. They have a lot of confidence in their ability.''
NOTES: This was the Rangers' 11th consecutive playoff game decided by one goal, extending an NHL record that dates to last season. ... Late in the first period, Lundqvist took a puck off the collarbone on a shot from Brooks Laich. The goalie missed nearly two months this season after a puck smacked him in the neck. ... Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was announced Wednesday as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's top coach.
WASHINGTON (AP) Back when he was 7, Andre Burakovsky tagged along to watch his father play in a professional hockey game in Sweden. The opposing goalie was none other than Henrik Lundqvist.
Burakovsky, now barely 20 and an NHL rookie with the Capitals, found himself facing Lundqvist, now the goalie for the Rangers, and the kid came through in a big way Wednesday night. Burakovsky scored his first two postseason goals and Braden Holtby saved a penalty shot, giving Washington a 2-1 victory over New York for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Capitals can close out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers in the best-of-seven series and advance to the conference finals for the first time in Alex Ovechkin's career by taking Game 5 in New York on Friday night.
''There's no shock. It's disappointment,'' said Lundqvist, who led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup finals last season. ''They're nothing really to figure out. We just need to score.''
Burakovsky tied Game 4 in the second period, then put Washington ahead to stay 24 seconds into the third.
''He's been a favorite goalie of (mine) since I grew up,'' Burakovsky said about his countryman Lundqvist. ''I've been watching him my whole life. It's a pretty special moment.''
Not bad for a guy who scored only nine goals in the regular season - and none since Feb. 15 - and was limited to 53 games with Washington, either because he was scratched or banished to the minors.
Coach Barry Trotz said he told Burakovsky: ''I'm not putting you back in the lineup `til you crack a smile again. If I see you moping around the dressing room, moping around because you're not playing, I will not put you in the lineup.''
Then, delivering the punch line, Trotz added: ''And he's always got a smile on his face now.''
Sure did Wednesday, particularly when Burakovsky was asked whether this was the highlight of his nascent career.
''I would say it's up there, for sure,'' he replied.
When a reporter wanted to know what could possibly beat this night, Burakovsky grinned broadly.
''I don't know,'' he said. ''Maybe it is the greatest moment.''
Might not have been had the Capitals not had Holtby protecting the net, finishing with 28 saves and lowering his goals-against average to 1.48 in these playoffs.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Holtby flicked his glove to catch Carl Hagelin's penalty shot and preserve the lead and help the Capitals win a fifth consecutive home game in the same postseason for the first time, according to STATS.
Hagelin broke in alone and Capitals defenseman Mike Green, chasing from behind, first poked at the left wing with his stick, then brought him down. When Holtby snatched the penalty shot, fans responded with earsplitting yells of ''Holt-bee! Holt-bee!'' and Green skated over from the bench area to give his goalie an appreciative tap with his stick.
''You go in there,'' Hagelin said, ''thinking you're going to score.''
As for whether Holtby knew how Hagelin would try to get the puck past him, Holtby said: ''Not really. I was just trying to be patient. ... Try not to think too much. Just react.''
The only goal allowed by Holtby over the past two games was scored by Derick Brassard a little more than six minutes into the second period Wednesday, making it 1-0 with assists from Martin St. Louis and Rick Nash, neither of whom has a goal in this series.
But New York's lead didn't last very long, thanks to Burakovsky, a first-round draft pick in 2013, who joined Evgeny Kuznetsov as a Capitals rookie making his mark on these playoffs. Kuznetsov has four goals, including the go-ahead score in Game 7 against the New York Islanders in the first round.
''We're pretty fortunate,'' Trotz said. ''We've got two young guys that have a lot of ability. They have a lot of confidence in their ability.''
NOTES: This was the Rangers' 11th consecutive playoff game decided by one goal, extending an NHL record that dates to last season. ... Late in the first period, Lundqvist took a puck off the collarbone on a shot from Brooks Laich. The goalie missed nearly two months this season after a puck smacked him in the neck. ... Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was announced Wednesday as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's top coach.
Capitals lead the series 3-2
NEW YORK (AP) Less than 2 minutes away from seeing their franchise record-setting season come to end, the New York Rangers finally found a way to beat Braden Holtby and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.
Chris Kreider tied it with 1:41 left in regulation and Ryan McDonagh won it 9:37 into overtime as the Rangers breathed life back into their Presidents' Trophy-winning season with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
''We are still alive,'' Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said after a 28-save performance. ''Being in their shoes, we've been there. Going home now there is a lot of pressure for them. I know for sure they don't want to come back here for another game. So we'll try to use that to our advantage.''
The Capitals lead the series 3-2. Game 6 is Sunday night in Washington, and there is bound to be pressure on Washington. Since 1985, it has lost nine series in which it led either 2-0 or 3-1. That includes a first-round loss to the Rangers in 2013 in which they led 2-0 and 3-2.
''Of course you want to close out the series,'' said Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, who is still looking to reach his first conference final. ''You have to forget about it and move forward.''
The Rangers have won each of their past nine playoff games when facing elimination at Madison Square Garden, dating to Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinal round against Pittsburgh.
Holtby made 41 saves for Washington, and Curtis Glencross scored.
On the winner, Jesper Fast kept the puck in the Washington end and sent a pass to Derek Stepan in the left circle. Instead of shooting, Stepan hesitated and found McDonagh coming late down the middle. His shot flew into the net and set off a second loud celebration at Madison Square Garden.
''It was passed to Stepan and it looked like he was going to shoot it,'' Holtby said. ''I lost him a bit with bodies in front. I saw that he dropped it back and don't know where it went. I heard it hit a stick and then that was it.''
McDonagh said all he was trying to do was hit the net.
''It's a good sign for us that we found a way to win this game under immense pressure,'' McDonagh said.
The Rangers were 1:41 from seeing their season end when Kreider tied it from the top of the left faceoff circle. He took a pass from Stepan and fired a shot quickly to the far corner that Holtby never saw.
As Kreider swiped the air with a roundhouse, it set off a wild celebration that had the Garden shaking.
The goal came seconds after Lundqvist left his net for a sixth skater.
Until the goal, it seemed that the Capitals were going to win on Holtby's second shutout of the series and another winning goal by one of Washington's unknowns.
Joel Ward had the winner in the opener. Jay Beagle and Andre Burakovsky had the winners in Washington and Glencross seemed destined in Game 5. He broke through with 9:06 left in regulation, scoring on a breakaway after being sent in all alone by defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Lundqvist actually stopped the breakaway attempt, but Glencross chipped the rebound over the prone netminder.
''The outcome speaks for itself,'' Kreider said. ''It's the kind of game that sheds a few years off your life, though. It'd be nice if we can pop one in early, take the pressure off of Hank, off our `D,' off ourselves, off our fans, off our coaches.''
The goaltenders have been the stars and Holtby and Lundqvist put on another show in Game 5.
Holtby set the tone early stopped 14 shots in an opening 10 minute onslaught by the Rangers. He was at his best against Martin St. Louis, making three outstanding saves, including a post-to-post pad save early when Rick Nash set up the one-time league scoring champion for a slam dunk in the crease.
Holtby also had an outstanding glove save early in the second period and a stop on a redirection later in the period.
Lundqvist was just as good although he needed a little help from the officials late in the second period to keep the game scoreless.
Niskanen, who earlier cleared a loose rebound of Stepan's shot off his own goal line, fluttered a shot into the net from the right point. Referee Kevin Pollock immediately waved off the goal, ruling that Ward bumped Lundqvist and was guilty of interference.
The Capitals objected but the call stood after the officials talked it over.
There were 29 shots, two goalposts and no goals in a fast-paced opening period. The Rangers came out flying and took 14 of the first 18 shots. Martin St. Louis hit a post and also was stopped by Holtby and his pad on a point-blank slam-dunk attempt. Nicklas Backstrom hit iron for Washington, which came on late and finished with 13 shots.
NOTES: There was a moment of silence before the game for slain NYC police officer Brian Moore, who was buried earlier in the day. ... The crowd chanted ''Zucc! Zucc!'' when injured Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello was shown on the overhead. He has not played in the series after being hit in the head by a shot in the final game against Pittsburgh. ... The crowd had its celebrities - Donald Trump, John McEnroe and Michael J. Fox. ...- Each of the Rangers' last 12 playoff games, including each of their 10 playoff games in 2015, has been decided by one goal.
NEW YORK (AP) Less than 2 minutes away from seeing their franchise record-setting season come to end, the New York Rangers finally found a way to beat Braden Holtby and keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive.
Chris Kreider tied it with 1:41 left in regulation and Ryan McDonagh won it 9:37 into overtime as the Rangers breathed life back into their Presidents' Trophy-winning season with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
''We are still alive,'' Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said after a 28-save performance. ''Being in their shoes, we've been there. Going home now there is a lot of pressure for them. I know for sure they don't want to come back here for another game. So we'll try to use that to our advantage.''
The Capitals lead the series 3-2. Game 6 is Sunday night in Washington, and there is bound to be pressure on Washington. Since 1985, it has lost nine series in which it led either 2-0 or 3-1. That includes a first-round loss to the Rangers in 2013 in which they led 2-0 and 3-2.
''Of course you want to close out the series,'' said Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, who is still looking to reach his first conference final. ''You have to forget about it and move forward.''
The Rangers have won each of their past nine playoff games when facing elimination at Madison Square Garden, dating to Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinal round against Pittsburgh.
Holtby made 41 saves for Washington, and Curtis Glencross scored.
On the winner, Jesper Fast kept the puck in the Washington end and sent a pass to Derek Stepan in the left circle. Instead of shooting, Stepan hesitated and found McDonagh coming late down the middle. His shot flew into the net and set off a second loud celebration at Madison Square Garden.
''It was passed to Stepan and it looked like he was going to shoot it,'' Holtby said. ''I lost him a bit with bodies in front. I saw that he dropped it back and don't know where it went. I heard it hit a stick and then that was it.''
McDonagh said all he was trying to do was hit the net.
''It's a good sign for us that we found a way to win this game under immense pressure,'' McDonagh said.
The Rangers were 1:41 from seeing their season end when Kreider tied it from the top of the left faceoff circle. He took a pass from Stepan and fired a shot quickly to the far corner that Holtby never saw.
As Kreider swiped the air with a roundhouse, it set off a wild celebration that had the Garden shaking.
The goal came seconds after Lundqvist left his net for a sixth skater.
Until the goal, it seemed that the Capitals were going to win on Holtby's second shutout of the series and another winning goal by one of Washington's unknowns.
Joel Ward had the winner in the opener. Jay Beagle and Andre Burakovsky had the winners in Washington and Glencross seemed destined in Game 5. He broke through with 9:06 left in regulation, scoring on a breakaway after being sent in all alone by defenseman Matt Niskanen.
Lundqvist actually stopped the breakaway attempt, but Glencross chipped the rebound over the prone netminder.
''The outcome speaks for itself,'' Kreider said. ''It's the kind of game that sheds a few years off your life, though. It'd be nice if we can pop one in early, take the pressure off of Hank, off our `D,' off ourselves, off our fans, off our coaches.''
The goaltenders have been the stars and Holtby and Lundqvist put on another show in Game 5.
Holtby set the tone early stopped 14 shots in an opening 10 minute onslaught by the Rangers. He was at his best against Martin St. Louis, making three outstanding saves, including a post-to-post pad save early when Rick Nash set up the one-time league scoring champion for a slam dunk in the crease.
Holtby also had an outstanding glove save early in the second period and a stop on a redirection later in the period.
Lundqvist was just as good although he needed a little help from the officials late in the second period to keep the game scoreless.
Niskanen, who earlier cleared a loose rebound of Stepan's shot off his own goal line, fluttered a shot into the net from the right point. Referee Kevin Pollock immediately waved off the goal, ruling that Ward bumped Lundqvist and was guilty of interference.
The Capitals objected but the call stood after the officials talked it over.
There were 29 shots, two goalposts and no goals in a fast-paced opening period. The Rangers came out flying and took 14 of the first 18 shots. Martin St. Louis hit a post and also was stopped by Holtby and his pad on a point-blank slam-dunk attempt. Nicklas Backstrom hit iron for Washington, which came on late and finished with 13 shots.
NOTES: There was a moment of silence before the game for slain NYC police officer Brian Moore, who was buried earlier in the day. ... The crowd chanted ''Zucc! Zucc!'' when injured Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello was shown on the overhead. He has not played in the series after being hit in the head by a shot in the final game against Pittsburgh. ... The crowd had its celebrities - Donald Trump, John McEnroe and Michael J. Fox. ...- Each of the Rangers' last 12 playoff games, including each of their 10 playoff games in 2015, has been decided by one goal.
The series is tied 3-3.
WASHINGTON (AP) Once merely 101 seconds from having their season end, then forced to hold off a furious Game 6 rally, Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers are now one victory away from returning to the Eastern Conference finals.
Kreider scored 40 seconds after the opening faceoff and with 0.3 seconds left in the first period Sunday night, Rick Nash and Dan Boyle added goals in the third, and the Rangers barely held on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 and force a Game 7 in the second round.
New York led 2-0, then 4-1 with less than 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. But Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward put the puck past Henrik Lundqvist less than 3 minutes apart to make it a one-goal game with nearly half a period to go.
That prompted the Rangers to call timeout and brought much of the red-clad fans to their feet, screaming ''Let's go, Caps!'' and then mockingly singing Lundqvist's last name.
But the Swedish goalie was solid the rest of the way, stopping Washington's last four shots - including Alex Ovechkin on a 1-on-1 - and surviving a late Capitals power play to finish with 42 saves. That's a career high for Lundqvist in a playoff game that didn't go to overtime.
After two days off, the teams will wrap things up Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden - a fitting finish for a matchup in which each of the first six games was decided by one goal.
The winner of Game 7 will face the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Montreal Canadiens next. Tampa Bay leads that conference semifinal series 3-2.
This was the 13th consecutive playoff game involving the Rangers decided by one goal - all 11 this postseason, and two last year - the longest streak in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
They also ended Washington's five-game home playoff winning streak. The Capitals hadn't lost consecutive games in more than two months, but they tend to have trouble when it comes to closing out postseason series. And while what's happened in the past does not guarantee anything in the present, the history of both teams certainly favors New York heading into Game 7.
The Rangers have won nine consecutive home playoff games when facing elimination, a streak that dates to May 1, 2008, and includes Friday night's 2-1 OT win in Game 5 of this series. Lundqvist was the goalie in all nine of those.
In all previous series that they led 3-1, meanwhile, the Capitals have been pushed to Game 7 four times - and they're 0-4.
Sunday's game began with a jolt thanks to Kreider's second goal of the series within the opening minute of a game against Braden Holtby.
Kreider also is the player who tied Game 5 with 1:41 left in regulation, before Ryan McDonagh got the overtime winner.
And Kreider's one-man show continued Sunday on a power play, making it 2-0 after Capitals forward Troy Brouwer was whistled for roughing with 3.4 seconds left in the first period.
After that wide-open first period, in which the teams combined for 37 shots, the action stayed fast and furious in the second, with Washington outshooting New York 18-4. And as if to say, ''Hey, this game isn't over,'' the Capitals got on the scoreboard with their own quick strike, by Jason Chimera, 28 seconds in, making it 2-1.
After Nash added his first goal of the series 54 seconds into the third period, and Boyle put a slap shot past a screened Holtby 3 1/2 minutes later for the Rangers, the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Capitals made things interesting but couldn't get the tying score.
NOTES: The Rangers eliminated the Capitals in 2012 and 2013, in Game 7 each time. Two years ago, the Capitals led the teams' first-round series 2-0 and 3-2, but Lundqvist turned in shutouts in Games 6 and 7. ... Capitals D Tim Gleason left the game briefly and the team said he was being evaluated for an injury, but he returned. ... Washington coach Barry Trotz said F Eric Fehr is ''not ready to play yet.'' Fehr has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since getting hurt in Game 3 of Washington's first-round series against the New York Islanders.
WASHINGTON (AP) Once merely 101 seconds from having their season end, then forced to hold off a furious Game 6 rally, Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers are now one victory away from returning to the Eastern Conference finals.
Kreider scored 40 seconds after the opening faceoff and with 0.3 seconds left in the first period Sunday night, Rick Nash and Dan Boyle added goals in the third, and the Rangers barely held on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 and force a Game 7 in the second round.
New York led 2-0, then 4-1 with less than 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. But Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward put the puck past Henrik Lundqvist less than 3 minutes apart to make it a one-goal game with nearly half a period to go.
That prompted the Rangers to call timeout and brought much of the red-clad fans to their feet, screaming ''Let's go, Caps!'' and then mockingly singing Lundqvist's last name.
But the Swedish goalie was solid the rest of the way, stopping Washington's last four shots - including Alex Ovechkin on a 1-on-1 - and surviving a late Capitals power play to finish with 42 saves. That's a career high for Lundqvist in a playoff game that didn't go to overtime.
After two days off, the teams will wrap things up Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden - a fitting finish for a matchup in which each of the first six games was decided by one goal.
The winner of Game 7 will face the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Montreal Canadiens next. Tampa Bay leads that conference semifinal series 3-2.
This was the 13th consecutive playoff game involving the Rangers decided by one goal - all 11 this postseason, and two last year - the longest streak in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
They also ended Washington's five-game home playoff winning streak. The Capitals hadn't lost consecutive games in more than two months, but they tend to have trouble when it comes to closing out postseason series. And while what's happened in the past does not guarantee anything in the present, the history of both teams certainly favors New York heading into Game 7.
The Rangers have won nine consecutive home playoff games when facing elimination, a streak that dates to May 1, 2008, and includes Friday night's 2-1 OT win in Game 5 of this series. Lundqvist was the goalie in all nine of those.
In all previous series that they led 3-1, meanwhile, the Capitals have been pushed to Game 7 four times - and they're 0-4.
Sunday's game began with a jolt thanks to Kreider's second goal of the series within the opening minute of a game against Braden Holtby.
Kreider also is the player who tied Game 5 with 1:41 left in regulation, before Ryan McDonagh got the overtime winner.
And Kreider's one-man show continued Sunday on a power play, making it 2-0 after Capitals forward Troy Brouwer was whistled for roughing with 3.4 seconds left in the first period.
After that wide-open first period, in which the teams combined for 37 shots, the action stayed fast and furious in the second, with Washington outshooting New York 18-4. And as if to say, ''Hey, this game isn't over,'' the Capitals got on the scoreboard with their own quick strike, by Jason Chimera, 28 seconds in, making it 2-1.
After Nash added his first goal of the series 54 seconds into the third period, and Boyle put a slap shot past a screened Holtby 3 1/2 minutes later for the Rangers, the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Capitals made things interesting but couldn't get the tying score.
NOTES: The Rangers eliminated the Capitals in 2012 and 2013, in Game 7 each time. Two years ago, the Capitals led the teams' first-round series 2-0 and 3-2, but Lundqvist turned in shutouts in Games 6 and 7. ... Capitals D Tim Gleason left the game briefly and the team said he was being evaluated for an injury, but he returned. ... Washington coach Barry Trotz said F Eric Fehr is ''not ready to play yet.'' Fehr has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since getting hurt in Game 3 of Washington's first-round series against the New York Islanders.
