Capitals 3, Rangers 2
CAPITALS 3, RANGERS 2: Alex Ovechkin's power-play goal with 7:27 remaining helped visiting Washington even its Eastern Conference semifinal series with New York at a win apiece.
Just 5 1/2 minutes after Ryan Callahan had tied the game with his third goal of the postseason, Ovechkin restored the Washington lead with the Capitals on a power play. The winger blasted a shot from the point that beat Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist through a screen, then held a glove to his ear as the Madison Square Garden crowd voiced its dissatisfaction.
The Capitals held on from there to seize home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is set for Wednesday in Washington.
Mike Knuble opened the scoring at 12:20 with his second goal of the playoffs. The Capitals took advantage of a Stu Bickel giveaway, breaking out on an odd-man rush that ended with Keith Aucoin setting up Knuble from in close.
Washington made it 2-0 on some strong forechecking with 2:46 remaining in the period.
Moments after Holtby stopped Rangers rookie Chris Kreider on a breakaway, Jason Chimera took the puck from New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and threw it in front to Matt Hendricks. His initial shot was stopped, but Chimera banged home the rebound for his third goal of the postseason.
The Rangers responded quickly, with Brad Richards converting a Marian Gaborik pass with 42.4 seconds left in the frame.
Washington nearly restored its two-goal advantage with just under six minutes to play in the middle period, but Lundqvist stretched out his pad to deny a Hendricks deflection.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Ovechkin finished with seven shots on goal Monday. He had just one in Saturday's series-opening loss. ... Capitals LW Alexander Semin, who came into the night with three goals and a minus-4 rating in the postseason, was held scoreless in a playoff-low 12:27 of ice time. ... Holtby stopped 26 shots to earn the win. Lundqvist made 22 saves in defeat.