NEW YORK – The New York Rangers are moving on to the second round of the NHL playoffs after defeating the Ottawa Senators 2-1 on Thursday night. The victory gives the Rangers a 4-3 series win in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal with the Senators and sets up a second round date with the Washington Capitals.
The Rangers used goals by two unlikely sources to take command of Thursday’s game in the second period. Stay-at-home blue liner Marc Staal got New York on the scoreboard at 4:46 of the second when he redirected a pass from Ryan Callahan past Senators goalie Craig Anderson to complete a pretty three-on-two play. Derek Stepan also picked up an assist on the goal.
New York defenseman Dan Girardi put the Rangers ahead 2-0 at 9:04 of the middle frame, as he slapped a lose puck in the slot over Anderson’s shoulder. Brandon Dubinsky and Brandon Prust assisted the goal.
The Senators clawed their way back into the game with a power play marker from captain Daniel Alfredsson, who one-timed a pass from Chris Phillips past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist at 11:34 of the second. Sergei Gonchar also assisted on the Alfredsson goal.
The Senators did not go quietly in the third period, throwing everything they had at Lundqvist late in the frame. Lundqvist, as he did throughout the series, came up big when it mattered most and turned away the Senators at every opportunity.
On two separate occasions he robbed Senators winger Milan Michalek from in close, securing the one-goal victory for his team.
By night’s end, Lundqvist made 26 saves in the Rangers net, with Anderson stopping 27 shots in Ottawa’s crease.
Darcy.MacRae@prohockeynews.com
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