The top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals, shook off a sluggish start to tie the game in the third period against the No. 8 seed New York Rangers and force overtime. Both clubs head to the locker room knotted at one after three periods of play.
The stellar play of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and a reviewed-but-allowed goal by Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin highlighted period three, but for those that have watched the real story is Washington’s inability to score when it has had the chance. The Rangers took the lead when Matt Gilroy banged home a one-timer near the beginning of the period.
Mike Green, despite a missed scoring opportunity, has been stellar in his return for the Capitals, and Washington goaltender Michael Neuvirth has matched Lundqvist shot for shot between the pipes through three frames.
The Capitals need to continue putting pressure on the Rangers and their stellar Swede in the extra session (and beyond), and hope that, much like Andy escaping Shawshank, it’s simply a matter of pressure … and time.