VIDEO: Derek Stepan hops on loose puck, lifts Rangers over Capitals in Game 7 OT
Brad Penner / Reuters
Derek Stepan's only goal of the second round was the most important one for the New York Rangers.
Stepan entered Wednesday's Game 7 against the Washington Capitals with no goals since the deciding game of New York's opening-round series, but he became the Rangers' hero 11:24 into overtime.
Keith Yandle sent the puck back to Dan Girardi for a point shot following an offensive zone faceoff win by the Rangers. The rebound from Girardi's shot bounced to Stepan in the slot and he fired it over a prone Braden Holtby to book New York's second consecutive Eastern Conference Final appearance.
Stepan led all Rangers forwards with 23:15 of time on ice in the contest.