Rangers take an epic, triple-OT victory out of Game 3

2011-12 Playoff Game No. 10; Road Game No. 4	Rangers lead series 2-1
VIDEO: HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
• Full Highlights | Tortorella  | Gaborik  | Callahan, McDonagh, Boyle		• Lundqvist | Melrose Save of Game

GAME RECAP Associated Press Marian Gaborik scored at 14:41 of the third overtime, and the Rangers outlasted the Washington Capitals in a 2-1 victory early Thursday morning to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Brad Richards was near the backboards before sending a pass in front to Gaborik, who ended the marathon by sliding the puck between the pads of rookie goaltender Braden Holtby. It was Gaborik's first goal since the Rangers' first playoff game against Ottawa, snapping an eight-game drought. Henrik Lundqvist had 45 saves for New York. Holtby stopped 47 shots for the Capitals. Early in the third overtime, Washington killed a New York power play to keep the suspense going. The game started at 7:40 p.m. and stretched into the next day, ending at 12:14 a.m. Thursday. There will be a two-day break before the teams meet for Game 4 on Saturday in Washington. It was yet another low scoring, extremely tight game for the Capitals. Nine of Washington's 10 playoff games have been decided by one goal; the exception was the Rangers' 3-1 win in the series opener. John Carlson got a second-period goal for the Capitals, 2-3 in overtime this postseason. Ryan Callahan scored in the second period for the Rangers, who improved to 1-2 in overtime during these playoffs. Washington had killed 27 of 30 penalties in the postseason before Callahan's goal. It was bad omen for the Capitals, who were 5-1 in the playoffs when scoring first and 0-3 when falling behind 1-0. • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME It was the seventh time the Rangers played a game that required at least three OT periods and, at 114:41, is the fourth-longest game in franchise history. It was the longest Rangers game since March 21, 1939 (119:25, 2-1 loss vs. Boston), and the second longest game resulting in a win for the Rangers all-time (March 26, 1932; 119:32, 4-3 win at Montreal). It was also the longest NHL game since May 4, 2008, when Dallas defeated San Jose at 9:03 of the fourth OT. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Gaborik 2. Lundqvist 3. McDonagh

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THE BIGGER PICTURE This marathon game was all about the will to win that the Rangers have shown throughout the 2011-12 season. You need great players and great team play to win the Stanley Cup, but above all you need that will, and these Rangers are loaded with it.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- McDonagh (53:17) Shots -- Gaborik (7) Hits -- Boyle (9) Blocks -- McDonagh (8) Takeaways -- Staal, Richards (2) Faceoffs -- Richards, Boyle (31)

NEW YORK RANGERS' GAME 3 LINEUP AT WASHINGTON
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Chris Kreider
Artem Anisimov	Brian Boyle	Ruslan Fedotenko
Mike Rupp	John Mitchell	Brandon Prust

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto	Stu Bickel
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, McDonagh, Girardi, Callahan, Stepan, Gaborik.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Brad Richards	Michael Del Zotto

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ruslan Fedotenko	Artem Anisimov
Ryan Callahan	Derek Stepan

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Anton Stralman