Capitals 1, Rangers 0 (OT): Defenseman Mike Green scored eight minutes into overtime and Braden Holtby turned aside 24 shots for his first career playoff shutout as host Washington claimed a 2-0 advantage in its Eastern Conference first-round series with sixth-seeded New York.
The third-seeded Capitals, who outshot the Rangers 8-0 in overtime, made the visitors pay after defenseman Ryan McDonagh was whistled for a delay-of-game penalty. Mike Ribeiro deked a pair New York players to the ice before setting up Green, whose shot from the high slot sailed past Henrik Lundqvist and inside the right post.
Lundqvist finished with 37 saves for New York, which fell to 1-9 in its last 10 postseason trips to the Verizon Center. The Rangers, whose lone win was a 4-3 triple-overtime thriller on May 2, 2012, will host Game 3 on Monday.
New York's Rick Nash nearly snapped the scoreless draw with 3:44 remaining in the third period, but his bid on a partial breakaway caromed off the left post. Washington's Troy Brouwer was whistled for slashing as Nash unleashed his attempt, but the Rangers failed to record a shot on the ensuing power play.
Lundqvist denied Ribeiro with his right shoulder on a 2-on-1 rush with 5:45 left in the second period. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner also was up to the task midway through the third, when he made a brilliant right-pad save on Jason Chimera's one-timer from the doorstep.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The last time a scoreless postseason game ventured into overtime was April 12, 2012. Boston skated to a 1-0 victory over Washington. ... Capitals C Marcus Johansson nearly opened the scoring 7:21 into the second period, but he failed to elevate the puck after receiving an impressive backdoor feed from captain Alex Ovechkin. Lundqvist made the glove save while resting on his stomach. ... RW Derek Dorsett played in his first game with the Rangers since suffering a broken collarbone on March 7. Dorsett was acquired in a trade with Columbus on April 3. New York C Brian Boyle also returned following a seven-game absence due to a knee injury.
NY Rangers | Washington | |
N/A | Points | Mike Green 1 |
N/A | Goals | Mike Green 1 |
N/A | Assists | Alexander Ovechkin 1 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | Mike Green 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Henrik Lundqvist .974 | Save Percentage | Braden Holtby 1.000 |
Henrik Lundqvist 37 | Saves | Braden Holtby 24 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
NY Rangers | 24 | 0 | 0-3 | 1-2 | 8 | 34 |
Washington | 38 | 1 | 1-2 | 3-3 | 10 | 36 |