The New York Rangers hoped to end their 2012 NHL Playoffs Eastern Conference second-round series with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. Instead, the Capitals held onto an early lead in front of a raucous home crowd for a 2-1 win, forcing a Game 7 on Saturday.
Alex Ovechkin put Washington on the board with a big slapshot on the power play less than two minutes into the first period. In the second period, Jason Chimera acted fast to push in a rebound of Niklas Backstrom's skate to give Washington a two-goal lead.
The night belonged to Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. He stopped 30 shots, and held back a Rangers' attack in the third period to preserve the win for Washington. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves.
Marian Gaborik put New York on the board with less than a minute left. Brad Richards won both face offs following Gaborik's goal, but the Rangers never got the puck on net.
Game 7 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The Rangers have won two of three home games in the series so far.
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