Rangers force Game 7 with breakout on offense
The New York Rangers forced a Game 7 with their won on Sunday night. (USATSI)
Every night during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eye On Hockey writers Adam Gretz and Chris Peters will bring you up to speed everything you need to know about all of the action around the NHL. Here’s what you need to know about Rangers vs. Capitals Game 6
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, Game 6
Rangers 4, Capitals 3 | Series tied 3-3 | Game 7, Wednesday
Game 6 in a nutshell: The New York Rangers finally found their offense and they finally found a way to have a big night against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. And they needed every single one of those goals during what was a 4-3 win. And with that, the Rangers have won two in a row to force the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday night in New York. The Rangers overcame a 3-1 series deficit in the second round last season and are one win away from doing it again this year.
Turning point: With just a little more than two minutes to play in regulation the Rangers were given a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass in the defensive zone. And it was the wrong call as every replay angle clearly showed the puck hitting the glass before going out of play. Seeing as how the Capitals were rallying at that point and had managed to cut a 4-1 deficit down to a single goal, it was a significant call and gave them an opportunity to tie the game. But the Rangers penalty kill was fantastic in shutting down the Washington power play to hold on for the win.
Three things we learned
1. Even though he gave up three goals, Henrik Lundqvist was incredible on Sunday night and without his performance in the second period (where the Rangers were outshot 18-4) this series might not be going to a Game 7. At the other end of the ice, Capitals goalie Braden Holtby could only do so much. He was great in the first period was pretty much the only reason the Rangers were not winning by more than two goals at that point. But they were finally able to break through a little more in the third period with two huge goals from Rick Nash (more on that in a second) and Dan Boyle. This was just the third game this postseason where Holtby allowed more than two goals in a single game and the first time he allowed more than three.
2. Rick Nash was finally rewarded with a goal. Forget what the box score numbers have said this postseason, specifically when it comes to his goals, but Nash has been playing extremely well for the Rangers. He has been getting shots. Creating chances. Playing a strong all-around game. He just wasn’t scoring goals. On Sunday, he finally did when he drove to the front of the net and scored a goal scorers goal from right in the crease to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead and some much needed insurance.
3. The Capitals’ power play is a mess right now. After their 0-for-4 showing on Sunday night, including the aforementioned late chance after the missed delay of game call, the Capitals are now just 1-for-12 in the series and only 3-for-25 in the playoffs overall. This, of course, was the best and most dangerous power play unit in the NHL during the regular season.
Video of the game: Chris Kreider beats the buzzer late in the first period, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead with only 0.3 seconds remaining on the clock. This was his second of two goals on the night.
Spring’s Hottest Trend: Buzzer Beaters. #NYRvsWSH #StanleyCup http://t.co/rr2EKRGhKy
— NHL (@NHL) May 11, 2015
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