The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals, 3-2, in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at Madison Square Garden in New York. The series now heads to the Verizon Center in Washington on Monday night tied at 1-1.
Chris Kreider got the Rangers off to a flying start 38 seconds into the game. It began innocently enough as a dump-in that was uncomfortably close to the Capitals net. Derek Stepan took in the puck off the bounce and fed Jesper Fast. Braden Holtby saved Fast’s shot but Kreider pounced on the rebound. 
“We had moved on past Thursday night and we were focused on the process of playing a good hockey game. Obviously we came out with a good start and [Fast] had a real good look prior to that and [Kreider] was able put in the rebound by going to the net,” said New York head coach Alain Vigneault.
Dan Boyle gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead at 15:40 of the first period on the first power play goal the Capitals have surrendered this postseason. Holtby made the initial save on Rick Nash in the slot. Troy Brouwer attempted to clear, but Boyle kept the trickling puck from going over the blue line. Boyle let it fly with a soft shot from the point that got by Holtby, who couldn’t see it with Nash in the way.
Aided by the three minor penalties the Capitals took in the first period, the Rangers dominated play, outshooting the Capitals, 15-4.
“I think after what happened [Thursday], we were all upset. I was really annoyed and it really bothered me, so you try to use that energy to bring it over into this game and be determined that we need this one. I think the first period we played one of our better periods,” said New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
“A slow start hurt us. Anytime you dig yourself a 2-0 hole in a building like this, it’s hard to come back. (In) afternoon games, you have to get up for them. You have to get ready,” said Washington forward Jason Chimera.
Evgeny Kuznetsov responded for the Capitals at 13:59 of the second period. He began the play carrying the puck to center ice and dumping it in. Chimera collected the puck off the boards and took a shot on Lundqvist that was saved. Kuznetsov followed up by beating Boyle to the spot and cleaning up the rebound.
Derick Brassard restored a two-goal lead for the Rangers just ten seconds after stepping out of the penalty box at 6:07 of the third period. The Rangers had killed off the Capitals power play for Brassard’s interference penalty, but the remnants of that unit attempted to make another rush up ice with the Rangers now at even strength. Rick Nash intercepted the outlet pass and pushed the puck to Martin St. Louis at the Capitals blue line. St. Louis’s feed to Brassard somehow got through the sticks of both Jay Beagle and Matt Niskanen. Brassard’s shot got through Holtby’s squeezed pads to put the Rangers up, 3-1.
Alex Ovechkin made the final 9:31 of regulation tense with his second goal of the series and fourth of the postseason. Ovechkin barreled down the right side on his off wing. Both of the Rangers’ top pair of defensemen, Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh attempted to contain him. They brought Ovechkin down to the ice in the right circle after he split them, but Ovechkin was still able to beat Henrik Lundqvist to the top left corner with a laser from his knees.
“It’s just an instinct situation. It was 3-1. I was just trying to do something. It was a good play by Ward. He gave me the puck at full speed and I made a move and just took a shot,” said Ovechkin.
“He’s one of best players in the game, no question. There aren’t many players that can do what he does out there and it’s a challenge for us every game to stop him. To be able to shoot it that hard on your knees, he definitely surprised me a little bit there. You have to be ready for anything,” said Lundqvist.
Holtby made 32 saves on 35 shots for the Capitals. Lundqvist made 30 saves on 32 shots for the Rangers.
“He was pretty pissed off after the game, Game 1. And he came back tonight. I thought he played pissed off.” said Brassard about Lundqvist’s performance.
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