Coming out strong and fast in from first puck drop was the New York Rangers in Game 2 of the second-round matchup against the Capitals.
By Robby Sabo
Whether it’s the New York Rangers from several years ago with John Tortorella, or the new free-flowing squad led by Alain Vignault, this Rangers team decides they just love to provide heartburn for their entire fan-base.
It is against their rules to play anything other than a one-goal game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And after today, that trend continues.
New York came out flying from the first puck drop. Chris Kreider was on his game early, as was Jesper Fast. Thanks to goals by Kreids and Dan Boyle on the power-play – thanks to a Rick Nash screen in front – the Rangers took a dominating 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
No time for messing around. Kreider gets the @nyrangers on the board EARLY. #NYRvsWSH #StanleyCup https://t.co/tepy6avUWh
— NHL (@NHL) May 2, 2015
Danny Boyle makes it a pair for the @nyrangers. #NYRvsWSH https://t.co/53kgZbg1Gn
— NHL (@NHL) May 2, 2015
However, the Washington Capitals pushed back hard in the second, and actually, took control of the game.
Keith Yandle and Boyle allowed Evgeny Kuznetsov to collect a long rebound from Lundqvist and cut the lead to one.
The third was a mixed bag.
Both teams pushed back and forth, until Derick Brassard came out of the penalty box and luckily found himself wide open in front of the net. It led to a jammed five-hold goal to extend, yet again, to a two-goal led.
Although, the lead was short-lived thanks to Alex Ovechkin. In perhaps the best goal of the playoffs, Ovechkin beat both Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi on a wonderful effort.
The rest of the game forced Blueshirts faithful to keep the Tums nearby. Lundqvist stopped 30 shots, as well as coming up with a few beauties. On the other end, Braden Holtby was spectacular, and kept his squad in the game all afternoon.
The series is now locked at one with Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night in our Nation’s Capital.
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