NEW YORK — Henrik Lundqvist is proving that an unflappable goalie can trump a lineup full of stars in a tight playoff series. The Rangers netminder stopped 39 shots, including 19 in the second period, to pace New York to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Wednesday night. New York can clinch the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with a victory Friday in Washington. The Capitals dominated play for most of the game, as they have done for all three previous games in the series. But the Rangers got on the board first, at 13:55 of the opening period, when Paul Mara’s shot from the left point deflected off Washington defenseman John Erskine’s stick and past goaltender Simeon Varlamov. Chris Drury doubled the lead at 2:23 of the second period, when he corralled a rebound of his own soft shot and lifted it over Varlamov. It turned out to be Drury’s 17th career playoff game-winner, tying Mike Bossy for sixth on the all-time list. That set the stage for Lundqvist’s heroics. The Swedish netminder repeatedly thwarted Washington attackers, only yielding to Alexander Ovechkin’s laser-like snap shot off a great individual rush up ice at 2:13 of the third period. Lundqvist made two dazzling glove saves on Ovechkin shots in the same frame. The Rangers killed off six power plays, including two in the third period when agitator Sean Avery went off for roughing and high sticking.
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