The New York Rangers seized control of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals with a hard-fought 4-3 victory in Game 2 on Tuesday. The Rangers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 in Washington on Friday.
Just as they did in their 4-1 win in Game 1, the Rangers took command in the second period of Game 2. With eight seconds remaining on a cross-checking penalty to Capitals defenseman John Carlson, Jack Roslovic snapped a 2-2 tie at 7:34 of the middle frame. Roslovic received a pass from Erik Gustafsson in the left faceoff circle and unleashed a blistering wrist shot that clanged off the crossbar and into the net.
While the Rangers were killing off a delay-of-game penalty on Gustafsson, Chris Kreider intercepted the puck from Alex Ovechkin near the neutral zone and passed it to Mika Zibanejad. K’Andre Miller joined the rush and one-timed Zibanejad’s pass over the outstretched arm of Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren, giving New York a 4-2 lead.
The Capitals managed to cut the deficit to 4-3 with 8:15 remaining in the third period when Tom Wilson deflected a shot by Hendrix Lapierre past Igor Shesterkin. However, the Rangers held on for the victory, with Shesterkin making several key saves down the stretch to preserve the win.
Vincent Trocheck and Zibanejad scored goals for the Rangers in the first period, while Alexis Lafreniere and Gustafsson each recorded two assists. Wilson finished with a goal and an assist for the Capitals, while Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome also tallied.
Shesterkin made 23 saves for the Rangers, including a crucial stop on Martin Fehervary shortly after Washington tied the game in the second period. Lindgren allowed four goals on 27 shots for the Capitals.
The Capitals opened the scoring 5:09 into the game when McMichael lifted the puck over Shesterkin after gaining possession from Ryan Lindgren. However, the Rangers responded with two quick goals to take the lead, and they never trailed again.
