ECQF Game 2: Braden Holtby Wins Goaltending Duel As Washington Capitals Take 2-0 Series Lead
The Washington Capitals became the 4th team in 7 attempts to take a 2-0 series lead when they needed extra time to down the New York Rangers 1-0. It was a goaltending duel from start to finish that had overtime written all over it.
May 4, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) is beaten by Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (not pictured) for the game winning goal in overtime in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Braden Holtby ended up getting the shutout, making 24 saves to record the win, but it was Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist who was far busier in terms of quality and quantity of shots. Lundqvist was stellar making 38 stops, many of them on second or third chances.
The Rangers had their best chance to break the scoreless draw with just under 4 minutes remaining in the game when Rick Nash broke in from his own blue line, powered past Martin Erat and beat Holtby, but couldn’t beat the iron. The Rangers were denied what looked like should have been a power play for delay of game via the “automatic” puck over the glass with 46 seconds left. The penalty was not called on the play much to the chagrin of John Tortorella and the Rangers.
Ironically enough, each team would be assessed a penalty for the exact same thing in overtime. Washington was the first team to go a man down, with Steven Oleksy committing the infraction. The Caps killed the penalty off successfully without allowing a shot to get through on Holtby.
Then, just over 7 minutes into the period, Ryan McDonagh was sent off for the same infraction, and the Rangers could not kill it off. On their third shot of the power play, Mike Green wired a slap shot from the point that went off the post and in, and just like that Washington had a 2-0 series lead.
SENSHOT’S 3 STARS
3. Mike Green
Game 3 goes Monday at 7:30 pm from Madison Square Garden.