New York Rangers, Mats Zuccarello
Photo by Bergen Record

After watching a comfortable 4-1 lead cut to 4-3, the New York Rangers once again found a way against the Capitals to force Game 7.

Final Score:
Rangers: 4
Capitals: 3

3 Stars of the Game:
1. Chris Kreider (NYR): 2 Goals
2. Joel Ward (WAS): 1 Goal, 2 Assists
3. Jason Chimeria (WAS): 1 Goal, 1 Assist

Shots on Goal:
Rangers: 28
Capitals: 45

By Robby Sabo

The first million dollar question of the night is this: is everybody okay out there?

Are there any New York Rangers fans who are currently watching Al Trautwig, Ron Duguay and the boys on the postgame from a hospital bed due to heart failure? If so, we all understand.

Only the young and healthy can survive these 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Yet again, even after jumping up on the Washington Capitals by a comfortable score of 4-1 in the third period, Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was decided by a goal.

To begin the game the Capitals came out aggressive. It backfired as Chris Kreider tracked a pass down from Jesper Fast and went Beast Mode to give his team the first goal, only 40 seconds in.

Then, Kreider ended the first period just as he started it. With only 0.3 seconds left, Kreider jammed home rebound on the power play to make it 2-0.

The Caps answered quickly in the second as Jason Chimera found a way past Henrik Lundqvist. Washington couldn’t capitalize on that goal and the Rangers surged ahead.

Rick Nash and Dan Boyle added goals within the first five minutes of the third. The crowd at the Verizon Center was stunned silent.

Just as NBC’s Pierre McGuirre pondered whether Barry Trotz should pull Braden Holtby for a little rest in anticipation for Game 7, is as quickly as the Caps put on a surge of momentum for the ages.

Via Twitter, @NYRangers
Via Twitter, @NYRangers

From the 12:20 minute mark on, when Evgeni Kutznetzov gathered a loos puck and fired one short side to cut the lead to 4-2, the game was in the Caps control.

Joel Ward scored only three minutes later and the Rangers looked completely out of sorts.

Ryan McDonagh missed a couple shifts due to a shoulder injury; James Sheppard was called for a phantom delay of game penalty; and the Caps were firing everything towards the net; and still, Lundqvist and the Rangers somehow came away with the win.

Although Lundqvist gave up three goals, he was phenomenal in this one making 42 saves. Despite the Rangers owning much of the first half of the game in tempo and overall play, the unbalance of play from that point on was 100 percent Washington.

Survival was the world of the night for New York.

Game 7 will be on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Click Here for Box Score and full Game Recap.

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Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com