The New York Rangers fended off elimination Sunday with a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard’s second period goal was all the Rangers would need as Henrik Lundqvist was spectacular in net to force a Game 7.
Lunqvist was a brick wall as the Rangers were on the brink of elimination, and he stopped all 27 shots he faced to live another day. The Capitals failed to take advantage of multiple offensive chances on the night and they now return home with another shot at ending the Rangers’ Stanley Cup hopes.
Last season, the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Capitals in Game 7 of the semis, and they will look to do the same this year in the first round. The Rangers have now faced the Capitals in each of their last four playoff appearances dating back to the 2008-09 season.
Derick Brassard gave the Rangers new life on Sunday as he lit the lamp just over nine minutes into the second period for the only goal of the game. The Rangers’ pressured early in the period and Brassard took advantage midway through the frame.
The puck slid from behind the net to John Moore at the point as the Capitals were spread out through their defensive zone. Moore found Brassard with a pass and the 25-year-old hit a slapshot past Capitals’ goaltender Braden Holtby to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The third period was just as exciting, and the Capitals picked up the pace in hopes of forcing overtime. Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t having it as he stopped 12 shots in the final period to hold off the Capitals’ late surge.
Here’s video highlights of Game 6 as the Rangers took care of business to extend the series:
The rubber match is Monday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., where the Capitals have won all three games this series. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs also face off in a Game 7 on Monday, and the winner will meet either the Rangers or Capitals in the second round.
Who do you have winning Game 7 between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers?
[Image via Robert Kowal ]