Rangers Fight Back to Force Game Seven

The brawl at the end of the Rangers' 1-0 Game 6 victory over the Capitals shows both teams' desire to win the series. (Scott Levy)

Elimination games have a special edge to them. One team is trying to put the finish touches on their hard work, while the other is fighting to stay alive. It becomes like a chess match, which can be the perfect situation for the team desperate to survive. It certainly was tonight for the New York Rangers.

When Washington Capitals center Mike Ribeiro scored in overtime of Game 5 to give his team a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series, Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist slammed his stick in disgust. It was a save he felt he should of made. With his team facing elimination in just two days, Lundqvist knew he must be better in order to help his team survive.

Game 6 was a physical affair from the get go. Neither team was able to generate much of an offensive flow. It was not until midway through the second period that one of the series' top stars had the puck break his way. From just inside the blue line, Rangers center Derick Brassard faked a shot and then let one rip. The puck clipped the glove of Capitals defenseman Steven Oleksy and sailed through a screen set by Brassard's linemate Rick Nash in front.

The goal was originally credited to Nash, but was properly credited to Brassard after replay revealed the puck deflected off Oleksy instead of Nash. The goal was Brassard's second of the series to go along with five assists. Nash has not found the net yet, but has been a presence in front of the Capitals net creating traffic in front of netminder Braden Holtby.

Meanwhile, Lundqvist faced only 15 shots through the first two periods, but he knew he must stay sharp to protect the Rangers' slender lead. As it turned out, the Rangers relied on Lundqvist to come up with a number of crucial saves in the final period. When the final horn finally sounded, a fight broke out between the sides, but it did not matter. Lundqvist had stopped all 27 shots he had faced for his seventh career NHL playoff shutout.

The Rangers-Capitals series is now 3-3, but the task does not get any easier from here for the Rangers. They must now travel to and play in what is sure to be a hostile environment at the Verizon Center. The home team has won every game up to this point in the series. This means that the Rangers must now do what they have failed to do so far in the postseason, win in the nation's capital. Something tells me that Lundqvist and the rest of his teammates will be more than ready to give it their best shot.

Ward's Overtime Goal Caps Off Series

Photo Credit: Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Despite being among the Stanley Cup favorites the past four seasons, the Washington Capitals could not seem to garner success in the playoffs. This season, the Capitals got off to a slow start, and it cost head coach Bruce Boudreau his job. The Capitals improved some, but inconsistency plagued the team. There was doubt late in the season that this team would even make the playoffs. They put together a late run and made it in as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Their reward was that they drew the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.

The Capitals refused to be intimidated. For once, they were the underdogs and didn't have the pressure of the highest of expectations. The Capitals seemed to use this to their advantage. Every time the Bruins would get a win, the Capitals had a response. But then in Game 6, the Bruins staved off elimination by winning in overtime. This meant it all came down to a must-win Game 7. Would the Capitals have another response to the Bruins? Goaltender Tim Thomas and the Bruins owned Game 7s last season and hoped to do the same this year. Matt Hendricks opened up the scoring in the first, giving the Caps a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Tyler Seguin found the equalizer for the Bruins on a nice physical hustle play. The two sides had opportunities the rest of the way, but this one was headed for overtime.

This didn't really come as a surprise because this is the fourth out of seven games in the series that went to overtime. Early in overtime, the Bruins tried to dump the puck in, but the play was broken up by the Capitals. Former Bruin Mike Knuble gained control and ripped a shot. Thomas made the nice save, but gave up the rebound. Joel Ward was right there to put the backhanded winner in the net. Just like that, the Capitals actually won a playoff series, and the defending champions were ousted. Maybe for once, the Capitals have saved their best play for the playoffs. It is still too early to tell, but this series win alone was nice when you consider the ups and downs this team has gone through this season.

NHL Playoffs: Overtimes Common Theme of Day Two

Boston Bruins 1

Washington Capitals 0

Sometimes all it takes is one goal. That was the case with Game 1 of the Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals series. Both offenses came out a bit sluggish and both these goaltenders were determined to let nothing cheap in. Both teams had some chances in regulation, but neither one could light the lamp. About one minute into overtime, Capitals center Marcus Johansson took a shot that was saved by Bruins goalie Tim Thomas. That started a counterattack by the Bruins. Brian Rolston found Benoit Pouliot who quickly passed it to Chris Kelly. Kelly buried the winner over the glove of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. Despite being the Caps third-string goalie, Holtby played extremely well, saving 29 Bruins shots. But it was the Bruins who capitalized on the opportunity early in overtime.

San Jose Sharks 3

St. Louis Blues 2

Early in the season, many Sharks fans whined and complained about Martin Havlat's play. Then, he injured his hamstring and was forced to miss nearly half of the regular season. Havlat returned just in time to aid the Sharks in their playoff push. He aided them in a big way in Game 1 in St. Louis. With the game knotted at 2, it headed to overtime. No one scored in the first period and the second one was drawing to a close, until the Blues struggled to clear the puck and Havlat found the puck on his stick and made them pay for the second time on the night. Thus, the visiting Sharks took Game 1.

Phoenix Coyotes 3 Chicago Blackhawks 2

The Blackhawks got on the board first when Jonathan Toews scored in his first game back. The Coyotes responded though in the second period with two goals of their own to take the lead. Goaltender Mike Smith and the Coyotes looked like they could hold off the Blackhawks to secure the win in regulation, but Brent Seabrook put in a rebound for the equalizer with 14.2 seconds left to send this game to overtime. In overtime, Coyotes center Martin Hanzal barely redirected Adrian Aucoin's shot, but it turned out to be enough to be the winner. Smith played outstanding in net for the Coyotes. He finished with 43 saves.

Photo Credits

Boston Bruins Celebration: Brian Babineau/Getty Images

San Jose Sharks Celebration: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Martin Hanzal Celebration: Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo

Who's Marching Into March, and Who's Not?

Marching Forward

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - 83 points, 4th place in the Eastern Conference

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their sixth in a row tonight and are 8-2-0 in their last ten. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been a rock in the net. The win tonight gave him four straight seasons with 35 or more wins. He is one of only four goaltenders in NHL history to accomplish the feat. The winning streak has pushed the Penguins past the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

2. St. Louis Blues - 89 points, 2nd place in the Western Conference

The St. Louis Blues are marching to the tune of 5-1-0 in the last six. The streak has the Blues tied with the Red Wings for the Central Division lead. Center T.J. Oshie, who leads the team in points, has seven points in his last five games. The Blues begin a three game homestand tomorrow, before heading on a big seven game road trip. That road trip could have a lot to say about who will win the Central Division.

3. Chicago Blackhawks - 79 points, 6th place in the Western Conference

The Chicago Blackhawks are 7-3 in their last ten, including a nice 2-1 win at the Detroit Red Wings. The streak has pushed them ahead of the pack trying to get the last couple playoff spots in the Western Conference. Backup goaltender Ray Emery is a main reason why. He was named the NHL's third star of the week, due to his efforts last week. Emery was 3-0-0 with a 1.12 goals against average and a .959 save percentage. The Blackhawks travel to St. Louis tomorrow and host the New York Rangers on Friday night.

Marching Backward

1. Boston Bruins - 79 points, 2nd place in the Eastern Conference

The Boston Bruins are mired in mediocrity right now. They've slipped to 2-3-1 in their past six. The top spot in the Eastern Conference seems to be out of the question right now, as they are far more concerned with the Ottawa Senators who are now only three points back for the Northeast Division lead. Goaltender Tim Thomas has struggled lately, letting 13 goals in past five games. However, Thomas is unlikely to see a break with backup Tuukka Rask out the next four-to-six weeks. The Bruins did sign veteran netminder Marty Turco, but his conditioning is in question.

2. San Jose Sharks - 73 points, 8th place in the Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks have gone from being in comfortable control of the Pacific Division to barely hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The reason why? The Sharks have just four wins in their past fifteen games. They now sit third in the Pacific Division are in danger of falling out of the playoffs altogether. If the Sharks are going to win the division or at least make the playoffs, they better start turning things around soon, before it it too late.

3. Washington Capitals - 69 points, 9th place in the Eastern Conference

The Washington Capitals seemed to be heading in the right direction when they won three games in a row, but they've now been shutout both of their last two games. Everyone thought this team was going to make a charge into the playoffs, but this team looks less and less like it everyday. The Capitals might go from playoff flop to missing them all together. This has been a disappointing season to say the least.

Sidney Crosby Looks Like His Old Self

The Pittsburgh Penguins were already tied for first with the most points in the NHL. The Penguins have been playing great. Could things get any better? They just did. Superstar Sidney Crosby returned to the ice for the first time in 10 months following a serious concussion. What does he do in his first game back? He scores 2 goals and has 2 assists. Should we be surprised? I don't think so. This is what we've come to expect from him. It's just wonderful to see him back on the ice.

In other NHL News:

The San Jose Sharks are on fire right now. After starting the season 1-3-0, the Sharks have now gone 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. The Sharks have 25 points in 19 games on the season, giving them the best winning percentage (.694).

The Boston Bruins say not so fast. Do you think the Sharks are hot? You should check us out. The Bruins are currently on a 9 game winning streak. They may have started the season 3-7, but that seems like a faint memory now.

The Minnesota Wild have won 4 in a row and are tied for the most points in the NHL with 27. How are they doing it? The Wild are without doubt the stingiest team in the NHL. They are allowing only 1.95 goals per game. The problem though is on the other end of the ice. The Wild's offense is ranked 28th in the NHL. If they offense improves at all, this could be an even tougher team to beat.

ESPN's Scott Burnside's take on Sidney Crosby's return to the ice: http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/12412/size-of-stage-no-match-for-sidney-crosby

NHL.com examination of the Minnesota Wild: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=602473