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National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
NY Rangers 2, Washington 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, May 12, 2012
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Referees: Chris Rooney, Dan O'Rourke
Linesmen: Brian Murphy, Jonny Murray
Attendance: 18200

RANGERS 2, CAPITALS 1: Brad Richards and Michael Del Zotto had goals and Henrik Lundqvist put together another solid performance as New York shaded Washington to reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Lundqvist turned aside 22 shots to propel the top-seeded Rangers to the conference finals for the second time since 1994, when they went on to win the Stanley Cup. New York opens the conference championship Monday night at home against the New Jersey Devils.

Trailing after two periods for the first time in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Capitals found themselves on their heels early in the third period. Washington's best chance to tie came just before the midway point of the frame, when Alex Ovechkin narrowly missed wide on a one-timer from the slot.

On the ensuing rush, the Rangers extended the lead to 2-0. Del Zotto jumped on a loose puck in the slot and fired it past a screened Braden Holtby at 10:05 for his first goal of the playoffs.

Roman Hamrlik cut into the lead 38 seconds after that. Following a Rangers turnover, Brooks Laich sent a soft pass to Hamrlik, whose weak wrist shot fluttered through a maze of players and eluded Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist.

New York was denied a shorthanded insurance goal later in the frame after Brian Boyle was ruled to have interfered with Holtby as the puck glanced off a Washington defender and slid into the net. But Washington failed to capitalize on the break, scrambling around in its own end before Nicklas Backstrom picked up a slashing penalty to end the man advantage.

The Rangers held on the rest of the way to prevail in their second straight seven-game series.

New York hit the scoresheet just 1:32 into the game. Carl Hagelin centered a backhand pass to an oncoming Richards, who wired a shot from the top of the right circle past Holtby's glove.

The Capitals increased the pressure in the second period and were rewarded with several good scoring chances, only to see Lundqvist keep them at bay.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Thirteen of the Capitals' 14 postseason games were decided by one goal - the only exception, a 3-1 defeat to the Rangers in the series opener. ... Richards' goal came on the first shot of the game. ... Washington had just four shots in the third period. ... Holtby turned aside 29 shots in defeat.
Top Game Performances
 
Washington   NY Rangers
Roman Hamrlik 1 Points Michael Del Zotto 2
Roman Hamrlik 1 Goals Michael Del Zotto 1
Jason Chimera 1 Assists Carl Hagelin 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Braden Holtby .935 Save Percentage Henrik Lundqvist .957
Braden Holtby 29 Saves Henrik Lundqvist 22
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Washington 23 1 0-1 2-2 4 23
NY Rangers 31 2 0-2 1-1 2 27
Upcoming Games
  • NY Rangers will play their next game at home against New Jersey. The Rangers have a W/L % of .627 after a win and .613 after a loss.