May 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) scores the game-winning goal against New York Rangers goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the overtime period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michal Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

After a scoreless first period that saw the teams feel each other out, the Bruins got on the board first in the second.  Past the 12 minute mark, Zdeno Chara‘s point shot was stopped 95% by Henrik Lundqvist, but the puck squirted through and after sitting in the crease for a moment, was put in by Lundqvist himself on a weird bounce.  A desperation point shot from Ryan McDonagh with less than 3 seconds remaining beat Tuukka Rask over the shoulder.  It crossed the line with 1.3 seconds left on the clock to even the score through 2.

The Rangers got their first lead of the game early in the third, as Carl Hagelin found Derek Stepan in the slot for a quick one-timer that beat Rask just 14 seconds into the frame. That lead didn’t last long as Torey Krug, playing his first NHL playoff game, fired a shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the net for the power play goal that tied it up just before the 3 minute mark. That is how it stayed until overtime.

Dorsett’s interference penalty 2:20 into the extra period didn’t result in a goal, but the Bruins recorded 6 shots on goal and had a couple more either blocked of just missing the net as they had Lundqvist under siege.  The Bruins kept the pressure on for much of the overtime before Marchand evaded a back-checking Mats Zucarrelo and converted a Patrice Bergeron pass on the 2-on-1 and slid it past Lundqvist on the Bruins’ 16th shot of overtime.

It was a very entertaining game and if it goes 7, it could be a series for the ages.  Game 2 goes Sunday afternoon at 3:00.

May 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) stands on the ice after the Capitals game against the New York Rangers in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center. The Rangers won 5-0 and won the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It really wasn’t as one-sided as the score would indicate early on.  Washington outshot the Rangers in each of the first two periods, but they couldn’t get on the board.  Arron Asham scored what would turn out to be the game winner just over 13 minutes into the first, putting a drop pass from Chris Kreider past Braden Holtby from just inside the blue line.

Taylor Pyatt put the Blueshirts up 2-0 early in the second, after Steve Eminger‘s point shot went off Derek Dorsett‘s leg and right to a wide open Pyatt, who had the whole net to shoot at from 10 feet away because Holtby had played the Eminger shot and was on the other side of the crease on his knees.  Just over 3 minutes later Michael Del Zotto put the Rangers up 3-0 when his shot changed direction off of Troy Brouwer‘s skate as he tried to block the shot.  The altered path of flight was just enough to allow the puck to slip through Holtby’s 5-hole as he went into the butterfly.

If there was any doubt about the outcome with the Rangers 3-0 lead through 40 minutes, Rangers captain Ryan Callahan made a nifty forehand-backhand deke at the side of the net and put it past Holtby just 13 seconds into the third.  A Capitals defensive zone breakdown allowed the Rangers 5th and final goal.  Eminger gained the line and dropped it to Derick Brassard, who drew 3 Washington defenders to him, leaving Mats Zuccarello wide open for the breakaway pass that he tuckes past Holtby.  The only thing left to decide was whether or not Henrik Lundqvist would get his second consecutive shutout.  He did, winding up with 35 saves to backstop his team to victory, finally getting some offensive support.

New York held MVP candidate Alex Ovechkin to just 2 points in the series, a goal in game 1 and an assist in game 2. He was held pointless in the last 5 games of the series.

The Rangers advance to meet the Bruins, which will prove to be a very interesting series.