I'm never going to get sick talking about Chris Kreider who had his coming out Garden party today, scoring the game winner at 7:00 of the third period and assisting on Brad Richards' goal 90 seconds later to ice the game. Today's game was one of the ugliest playoff games I can remember watching as just 32 shots combined were taken today. The second period 5 on 3 the Rangers had to kill changed the entire complexity of the game and will be remembered as a big point in the series. Artem Anisimov opened the scoring at 12:38 on a wraparound goal that found its way behind Holtby. The Caps began to press a little towards the end of the second period and managed to get a puck past Lundqvist with just 4 seconds left with Chimera converting a sick saucer pass from Brooks Laich.
The game was seemingly still up for grabs heading into the third period, with numerous back and forth chances and following the pass through the neutral zone from Derek Stepan to Kreider, blasted a shot past Holtby, who came way out of his crease to challenge Kreider to no avail. With the Rangers buzzing following the go ahead goal and cycling in the Washington end, Kreider found Brad Richards in alone in front of the net and beat Holtby five-hole to ice the game.
Whether fatigue or not was an issue today, the Rangers are a no excuses team. They didn't seem concerned that Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky didn't dress for today's game and the extra forward spot went to a defenseman. They didn't panic during the 5 on 3 PK and they didn't panic coming out of the locker room for the third period after Washington tied it up. This is a team that has what it takes to beat anyone that steps up to them. The Rangers are clearly on a mission to do some big things this spring.
Thanks Brendan Shanahan.
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