Ranger stay alive with 4-3 win - tie series 3-3

That’s seven!  The Rangers beat the Capitals 4-3 to tie their series at 3-3 and are just 9 wins from the Stanley Cup.

It was the Blueshirt’s best win of the season – going into enemy territory and defeating a Capitals team that had beaten us there twice before. 

With their backs to the wall the Rangers started fast.  Just 40 seconds in Chris Kreider with speed, size, and power carried the puck the length of the ice, crossed over in from of Holtby, and beat him for the 1-0 lead.

Then – with one second – one second – left in the first period – Kreider again put the rebound past Holtby and – after a review the goal stood.

The second period began badly with the Capitals scoring 28 seconds in.  And the Caps outshot the Rangers 18-4 in the second but could get no closer.

And so on to the third with a 2-1 lead and the Rangers playoff life in the balance.

In the third period the Rangers shot the puck 4 times, scored on two of those, and needed them all.

54 seconds it in was Rick Nash.  Yes that’s right Rick Nash.  And easily this was his biggest goal as a Ranger.  And it was 3-1

And then – finally – Dan Boyle.  And five minutes into the third it was 4-1.

But of course these are the Rangers and nothing is easy.  The Capoitals came roaring back and at 10:33 it was 4-3 and the roof was shaking – and frankly – so was I.

The Capitals came in waves.  In the end there was an incorrect delay-of-game call on the Rangers – and the Caps pulled Holtby and it was 6 on 4.

But there was Lundqvist.  Flashing the pads – scrambling - never giving in and never giving up the tying goal.  And when the horn sounded the Rangers had stayed alive with a 4-3 win in Washington.

The seventh game isn’t until Wednesday.  We’ll need the rest.  One more game for the season.

I’m just happy to be here.

What Did We Learn?  That the Rangers magic season has at least one more night in it.

Uh, a little help?:   Two huge assists for Derek Brassard.  One each for Klein, Miller, Fast, Stepan, St. Louis, and Sheppard.

 Did Special Teams Determine The Outcome Of This Game?  Yes!  We were 1 for 3 and stopped Washington on 4 of their powerplays. 

Where Do We Stand?  Tied 3-3!

Oh My - What Will Happen Next?  Wednesday at MSG.  Game seven.

Non-Sequitur of the day: I will once again have my lucky Stepan Matteau hat on and will be clutching my Sean Avery pin.  And anything you did Sunday that worked – do it again.