Capitals Win Thrilling Game 7 to Complete Comeback

It wasn’t pretty, but the Washington Capitals became the 21st team to comeback from a three game to one deficit and defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. All three goals were scored by Russians with Sergei Fedorov scoring the game-winning goal with 4:49 remaining in the third period.

Photo courtesy of Heather Boyer Blumberg

The Rangers dominated for most of the game, holding the Capitals to 11 shots through the first 40 minutes. Nik Antropov got the Rangers the lead 5:35 into the first period when Simeon Varlamov poke-checked the puck away from Brandon Dubinsky, and right to Antropov who put it past Varlamov from point-blank range.

The Capitals got lucky late in the period when an Alexander Semin shot nicked off a Rangers ‘D’ man and changed directions on Henrik Lundqvist. Although Washington only recorded two shots in the first period, one went for a goal and it was even-stevens as the second period started.

New York controlled the tempo in the second period, but could not get anything to show for it. Varlamov played another magnificent game as he stopped 14 of 15 shots and was named the game’s first star. He did not have to make many stops, but had a few key ones to keep the score tied heading into the third period. Lundqvist had a great game as well, but it was the Rangers’ missed chances and lack of offense that proved to be too much for New York to overcome.

With the tides turing in the third period, the Capitals were getting more and more chances, and it finally paid off. Washington outshot the Rangers 13-1 in the final frame and it was one of the final shots that Lundqvist just could not handle. With about five minutes left, Fedorov raced up the right side on Wade Redden, and what looked like Fedorov circa 1995, he ripped a shot that clanked off the crossbar and far post as it passed Lundqvist.

Here are some additional notes:

Alex Ovechkin was held to five shots in 21:14 and New York did a great job of containing the superstar.
Capitals’ Captain Chris Clark played for the first time since January 27th.
Rangers’ prospect Artem Anisimov made his playoff debut and skated 5:35.
Fedorov and Sean Avery collided a few minutes after Fedorov’s goal, with Avery limping to the bench favoring his knee. It was an awkward hit that left Avery grimacing on the bench.
Only one Capital (Nicklas Backstrom 6/17, 35%) had a face-off percentage below 50%.

With the Carolina Hurricanes beating the New Jersey Devils, Carolina advances to play Boston and Wasington will play Pittsburgh. Ovechkin versus Crosby here we come.

Posted by Matt Leighton on Apr 28 2009. Filed under Atlantic, Eastern Conference, New York Rangers, Southeast, Washington Capitals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.