Associated Press
Defenseman Mike Green's power-play goal with 5:48 left in regulation Saturday lifted the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the top-seeded Rangers, tying their Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.
On the go-ahead goal, Rangers captain Ryan Callahan got knocked down along the boards and lost the puck, which went to Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman. He slid the puck over to a wide-open Green, who sent a slap shot from the right circle past goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
The series moves to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Monday night. Game 6 will be at Washington on Wednesday.
Washington's other goals Saturday came from captain Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. But only 23 seconds after Backstrom's goal in the second period, Ovechkin's skates left the ice as he delivered a high hit to Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, a play that resulted in a charging penalty against the two-time NHL MVP and could draw attention from the league office. In the third period, Ovechkin was treated by a trainer for a bloody upper lip.
Artem Anisimov had a goal and an assist for the Rangers. The Blueshirts' other goal came from Marian Gaborik, who provided the winner after nearly 115 minutes of play in Game 3.
The teams had two days off to rest and recuperate from that marathon, which began Wednesday night and finished after midnight. The Rangers' 2-1 victory in that game might have given them control of the series.
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STAT OF THE GAME
Marian Gaborik notched a goal at 16:43 of the second period to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, three assists over the span). He is now tied for second on the team with three goals, and ranks second on the Rangers in scoring with eight points in 11 playoff contests. |
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Anisimov |
2. Gaborik |
3. Lundqvist |
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[51-24-7]
[42-32-8]