NEW YORK -- Thanks to late-game heroics by both Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh, the New York Rangers won in stunning fashion, knocking off the Washington Capitals 2-1 in overtime to keep their season alive in the process.
The Capitals still hold a 3-2 series lead but blew a chance to close out their Metropolitan Division foe when they had the game within minutes of wrapping up.
How it happened: Capitals trade deadline acquisition Curtis Glencross snapped a scoreless tie midway through the third period, streaking in on Henrik Lundqvist on a breakaway and then batting home his own rebound. But with their season on the line, the Rangers refused to roll over, as they tied it up with less than two minutes to go to send it into overtime on Kreider’s goal with 1:41 remaining in regulation. McDonagh provided the game-winner in OT, scoring to keep the Rangers from being sent home for the summer.
What it means: The Rangers now have more than just a glimmer of hope as they pulled within a game, 3-2, in the series with play now shifting back to Washington, D.C., for Game 6 on Sunday. Keep in mind, the Rangers have managed such a comeback before, when they rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against the Penguins last spring.
Player of the game: Kreider. The Rangers would all be making tee times for next week already if it were not for his clutch goal with time winding down. Kreider has been a physical force this series but put his skill on display, beating Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby for the Rangers’ sixth goal in five games.
State of the game: Kreider’s game-tying goal late in the third was the Rangers’ first goal in 222:39 minutes scored by someone other than center Derick Brassard.
Up next: Game 6 will be played Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
