After one period of a crucial Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers lead the Washington Capitals 1-0. The Rangers set the pace in the first period, tilting the ice and peppering Caps' goaltender Braden Holtby. New York out-shot Washington by 13 through the first 20 minutes.
The Rangers took the 1-0 lead at the mid point of the period, with Anton Stralman tallying his first goal of the series. Stralman controlled the puck at the top of zone, skating down the board and firing off a quick wrister that went right through the legs of Braden Holtby. It was not the prettiest goal, as the puck went right past Eric Schultz and Dennis Wideman and through the five-hole. Video of the score below:
Washington has been unable to get much going in the offensive zone, putting just four shots on goal. The Caps did go on the power play in the final two minutes of the period when Michael Del Zotto desperately took down a streaking Alexander Semin along the boards and was whistled for tripping. It was not a pretty power play, however, as the Rangers consistently cleared the puck before Washington could get anything going. The Caps will start the second period with 13 seconds remaining on the power play
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates throughout the Capitals and Rangers Eastern Conference semifinal series. For more news and analysis on the Caps, visit Japers' Rink. For news and info from a Rangers perspective during the series, visit Blueshirt Banter. And for all your news on the NHL Playoffs, check out SB Nation's NHL hub.