New York Rangers eliminate Ottawa Senators in 2-1 Thriller -NHL Playoffs Update
The stakes were incredibly high as Ottawa was the only remaining hope for Canada while New York, being the top team of the East
battled for pride and glory. Rangers took advantage of the Senators being off guard, eliminating the Ottawa team in a 2-1 thrilling Game 7 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff
Quarterfinals.
It came out to be a battle of the goaltenders as Henrik Lundqvist, the New York goaltender, defied all odds and kept New York alive throughout the matchup while Craig Anderson just failed to maintain form and let in the first two goals.
Rangers showed that they were a disciplined team as they managed to counter from being put on the verge of elimination since Game 5.
"We've been in this situation a lot this year," Rangers captain, Ryan Callahan, said. "Going into the third period, there's more on the line, but we can't change the way we've played throughout the year, and that's … blocking shots.”
"It's playoff hockey at its finest. They are making the last surge, trying to play for their season. We stood in there and blocked some shots. Hank came up with some key saves. It's how we have been playing all year, and we have to continue to do that,"
Callahan added.
The second period proved to be lucky yet again for New York as Marc Staal fired off the opening shot for his first of the series after Rangers missed a number of opportunities, including one on the open net with Anderson behind it.
Dan Girardi got the game winner nearly midway through on a lucky shot past Anderson, leaving him baffled and giving the sold-out crowd at the Madison Square Garden a chance to scream with joy.
Ottawa captain, Daniel Alfredsson’s goal was the last of the night on the power play with Michael Del Zotto out for cross checking, and with 20 minutes remaining in round-three, Senators were confident of a comeback.
Anderson did not allow any more Rangers’ goals, but Ottawa failed to get any past Lundqvist as well, giving New York the victory and ticket to advance to the semi-finals against Washington Capitals.
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