Rangers Make History

By Andrew Heliotis
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Updated: May 14, 2015

For the second straight year the New York Rangers will be advancing to the Eastern Conference Final thanks to a big game 7 victory. The Rangers win over the Capitals also marks the second time in as many years the Ranger’s have overcome a 3-1 deficit to advance to the final four.

Washington’s run through the first and second round seemed like a more dominant performance than their 7-7 record may imply. Arguably the largest and most physical team in this years playoffs, Ovechkin and company looked like they would finally be advancing past the second round. So confident was the group that The Great 8, guaranteed a win the evening before game seven.

All Ovie really did was answer a loaded question, which from a captain could not possibly garner a “no, we will not lose,” response. Regardless, it was enough for the toughest media market in North America to pounce. It was enough motivation for the Ranger’s who outlasted Washington till the bitter end. Ovechkin had the only Capital goal on the night, doing his part to make true on his words.

For a series with so many storylines it was fitting that game seven went to Overtime. Tied at one through three periods fans were treated to a great finish in the goaltending duel between Rangers Henrik Lundqvist and Washington’s Braden Holtby. Both goaltenders were knocking on the door of 40 saves when Derek Stepan scored his third of the series, sealing the deal for New York. Lundqvist had an insane .972 save percentage in the win and will need to continue to be King Henrik through the Eastern final when the Ranger’s match wits with the Tampa Bay lightning, who are coming off a thrilling game 6 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Game one of that series goes Saturday for an afternoon game. Despite edging the Capitals, the Rangers can take a few things from the losing squad. All series the Caps did a great job of shutting down the long passes and speed that the Ranger’s used to be the NHL’s best during the regular season. New York forward Rick Nash will have to contribute alot more against Tampa. He had only two goals against Washington, after finishing the regular season third in that category.