Washington Capitals topple New York Rangers, 4-3: NHL Play-off Recap
Jason Chimera scored the game-winning goal in the second extra session to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Marcus Johansson hit the net twice and Alexander Semin once for Washington, which won two overtime contests in one series for the first time since 1998, owning a commanding 3-1 series lead. Michal Neuvirth turned away 36 off 39 shots in the win.
"That was a fabulous hockey game, two warrior teams going at it and leaving nothing on the ice," Gushed Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "This has been one h**l of a series so far. I don't anticipate anything different."
Marian Gaborik and Brandon Dubinsky both found the back of the net for New York, who wasted a three-goal third-period advantage in the loss. Henrik Lundqvist was otherwise outstanding in defeat, halting 49 shots. Artem Anisimov added another goal in the
losing effort.
Following a goal-less opening period, New York took command of the play by scoring three straight goals in the second period. The first goal came about 5 ½ minutes in, when Anisimov chased a Chris Drury’s miss hit and succeeded to deflect his shot into the
net from behind the goal line.
Gaborik gave the Rangers a two-goal edge, 2-0, with more than six minutes left in the second period. It started when Ruslan Fedotenko followed down a dump-in behind Neuvirth and dished the puck in front for Gaborik, who unleashed a one-timer into the net.
Just seven seconds later, after winning a face-off, Dubinsky brought the puck into the Capitals zone and fired a low shot home for a 3-0 margin.
The Capitals then started the comeback and stunned the Rangers by bursting three straight goals in the final period. The first goal came less than three minutes in, when New York’s defenseman Ryan McDonagh sent a pass from the right circle to Semin, whose
shot went past Lundqvist's pads and slid to the goal line. Lundqvist kick it out, but Semin put it in again and Lundqvist was unable to cover.
Johansson finally pulled the game at 3-3 deadlock with a pair of goals in the third period. The first goal came just 57 seconds later, when he redirected home a Brooks Laich’s pass. Then, he redirected home a John Carlson’s left-point blast shot with about
eight minutes left.
Lundqvist kept the game tied with about nine minutes into the first extra session, when blocked down Alex Ovechkin's breakaway shot with his glove. He then made three more stops during a Washington’s power play late in overtime.
"We had a tough time getting pucks out and we paid for it. They are a good team. We talked about being very careful with the puck," Lundqvist admitted. "They are a dangerous team that can make some plays. They were back in it."
Chimera finally sealed the win at 4-3 with about 7 ½ minutes remaining in second overtime. He was the beneficiary of Lundqvist’s turnover. Johansson released a shot from the right circle, but it was partially saved. Lundqvist then tried to tip the puck away
with his stick, but it went up, hit the streaking Chimera in the chest and went past the goal line.
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