Rangers complete comeback, return to Eastern Conference Final after Game 7 OT win over Caps
Nothing is guaranteed in overtime of Game 7.
Save for Henrik Lundqvist, that is.
King Henrik made 35 saves, keeping his team level with the Washington Capitals midway through the first overtime period before Derek Stepan pounced on a loose puck, flipped it past a sprawling Braden Holtby and sent the New York Rangers back to the Eastern Conference Final, their comeback complete.
It was a game that was supposed to help define the career of Alex Ovechkin, who guaranteed a victory after the Capitals' Game 6 defeat, but only propelled Lundqvist further into Rangers' lore. He has now won six consecutive Game 7s - the latest a 2-1 triumph.
Related: Henrik Lundqvist - Mr. Game 7
New York will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the right to compete for Lord Stanley's jug.
Star Performer: The King. Lundqvist is now 14-3 in his last 17 postseason elimination games and maintained a sparkling .973 save percentage in his Game 7 career with his 35 saves.
Turning Point: Stepan's winner. It was punch, counter-punch all night, but only one knockout blow. His marker gave the Rangers 13 goals in the series. The Capitals finished with 12.
Goalie Comparison: Holtby was tremendous as well, making 37 saves and looking especially calm early in overtime, but was fooled on the winner, over-committing on a deflected shot from the point.
| Goalies | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holtby | 39 | 2 | 37 | 0.949 |
| Lundqvist | 36 | 1 | 35 | 0.972 |
Top Highlight: Ovechkin's first-period goal, the result of a sweet backhand sauce from Marcus Johansson, quieted Madison Square Garden and made it seem as if it was going to indeed be his night.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
Stat of the Night: The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to crawl back from a 3-1 deficit to win in consecutive years. They took three straight against the Pittsburgh Penguins after falling behind 3-1 in Round 2 last season.
Game 1: Capitals 2, Rangers 1
Game 2: Rangers 3, Capitals 2
Game 3: Capitals 1, Rangers 0
Game 4: Capitals 2, Rangers 1
Game 5: Rangers 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 6: Rangers 4, Capitals 3
Game 7: Rangers 2, Capitals 1