NEW YORK -- Right winger Joel Ward scored with 1.3 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Washington Capitals a 2-1 victory against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of their second-round series at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

Left winger Alex Ovechkin made the play happen, as he centered the puck from behind the net to an open Ward, who beat Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist along the ice for the winner.

Ovechkin also scored for the Capitals while goaltender Braden Holtby made 31 saves.

Right winger Jesper Fast scored for the Rangers, who received 27 saves from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday afternoon at MSG.

Ovechkin scored the game's first goal during a power play late in the first period, and it was a jaw-dropper.

It looked like a harmless zone entry along the left wing by the Russian sniper, but it turned into something more. Using Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle as a screen, Ovechkin launched a wrist shot from the top of the face-off circle that beat Lundqvist high to the stick side to put the Capitals ahead 1-0.

The puck was in and out of the net so quickly some fans weren't sure it was a goal.

Ovechkin nearly made it 2-0 early in the second period as his wrist shot beat Lundqvist to the catching-glove side, but it rang off the crossbar.

Fast tied the game at 1 with 4:39 remaining in the third period after extended pressure in the Capitals zone. Center Kevin Hayes whipped the puck toward the net from the blue line, and the puck hit the inside of Fast's knee and got past a screened Holtby.

NOTES: Capitals coach Barry Trotz said RW Eric Fehr (upper body) could skate with the team Friday. Fehr did not play in Game 1 and has been absent since April 19 when he left Game 3 of the Capitals' first-round series against the New York Islanders. ... The Capitals scratched C Michael Latta and D Dmitry Orlov. ... Rangers D Kevin Klein played his first game since March 11 when he suffered a broken arm. Rangers D Matt Hunwick, who replaced Klein, was a healthy scratch.