Rangers 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
NEW YORK -- Defenseman Ryan McDonagh scored at 9:37 of overtime to give the New York Rangers a season-saving 2-1 victory against the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their second-round series at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
The Capitals still lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with Game 6 set for Washington on Sunday night.
McDonagh scored on a blast from just inside the blue line after a drop pass from center Derek Stepan. It was McDonagh's second goal of the postseason.
Capitals left winger Curtis Glencross and Rangers left winger Chris Kreider exchanged goals in the third period, with Kreider scoring with 1:41 remaining to force overtime.
Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 28 of 29 shots while Washington goaltender Braden Holtby was phenomenal yet again, as he stopped 41 shots..
There were no goals during the first two periods, but there were plenty of close chances.
Rangers right winger Martin St. Louis had the puck on his stick at the far post after a gorgeous spinning pass from left winger Rick Nash, but Holtby extended his left leg in desperation to make the skate save.
Capitals defenseman Mike Green had a chance later in the first period during a power play, but Lundqvist pushed across to deny the one-time attempt.
The Capitals appeared to take a 1-0 lead late in the second period when a point shot by defenseman Matt Niskanen hit traffic near the crease and bounced behind Lundqvist. The goal was waved off, however, as a referee ruled Capitals right winger Joel Ward interfered with Lundqvist just outside the crease.
Lundqvist did everything he could to keep the Rangers in it, including making the first save on Glencross' initial breakaway attempt. But Glencross was able to chip the rebound over a fallen Lundqvist to break the scoreless tie with 9:06 remaining.
The play began in the Rangers' offensive zone when defenseman Kevin Klein had his shot attempt blocked by Capitals right winger Tom Wilson. Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle gambled to keep the puck in the zone and lost, as Niskanen sprung Glencross for the breakaway.
But Kreider tied it with his second goal of the series. He took a drop pass from center Derek Stepan and whistled a quick shot that deflected off Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik and past Holtby to make it 1-1.
NOTES: The Capitals iced the same lineup they used in Game 4. ... Capitals RW Eric Fehr (upper body) did not participate in the team's morning skate and has not played since Game 3 of the first round. ... Rangers LW Mats Zuccarello is considered day-to-day with what is likely a concussion suffered at the end of the first round. ... The Rangers made zero changes to their lineup after Game 4. ... The Rangers entered the game with an 8-0 record when facing elimination at home since 2008.