Senators at Rangers
THE STORY: For the fourth time in his career, Henrik Lundqvist was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. If the top-seeded New York Rangers wish to continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup, they'll need the stud goaltender to prove his worth in Thursday's seventh and deciding game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Ottawa Senators. New York has won all three of its previous Game 7 matches at Madison Square Garden.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG, NBCS
ABOUT THE SENATORS: Daniel Alfredsson returned following a three-game absence due to a mild concussion in Monday's 3-2 loss in Game 6. The captain showed an uncharacteristic level of frustration by smashing his stick and stomping on a water bottle as he spent time on the bench during the third period. "It was a little frustration and I probably should have handled myself better," Alfredsson said. Chris Neil has been generous on the scoreboard as well as with his fists. The agitator netted his second goal of the series in Game 6 and engaged in a lengthy battle with Brandon Prust. As he fought, Neil also encouraged the crowd at Scotiabank Place to keep chanting his name.
ABOUT THE RANGERS: Derek Stepan picked a fine time to make his presence known in the series. The second-year center collected his first points of the series with a power-play goal and two assists in Game 6. "I got a little of a monkey off my back," Stepan said. "I was having a tough time scoring. It was a relief to find the back of the net. Not only that, the power play gets a boost from it, too." Boston College star Chris Kreider was credited with the game-winning goal - and his first tally of his career - when he scored late in the second period. Brian Boyle, who is nursing a concussion, was not on the ice for morning practice on Wednesday.
OVERTIME:
1. Craig Anderson's shutout streak of 145 minutes, 27 seconds came to an end during the Rangers' three-goal second period in Game 6.
2. After posting career bests in wins (39) and goals-against average (1.97) during the regular season, Lundqvist has stopped 179 of 190 shots in the series for a sizzling save percentage of .942.