In a series that has seen the home team win every game, that trend continued in game 5 as the Capitals needed overtime to beat the Rangers 2-1. They now take a 3-2 series lead to Madison Square Garden with the Rangers on the brink of elimination.
May 10, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals players celebrate after beating the New York Rangers 2-1 in overtime in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
New York got on the board early, with Brad Richards behind the net fining Brian Boyle out front for the quick tap-in before the game was a minute old, tucking it past Braden Holtby.
With Boyle off for slashing in the second period, Joel Ward completed a nice three way passing play to even the score. Nicklas Backstrom passed from the faceoff dot to Troy Brouwer on the goal line, whose quick pass to Ward in the slot, who fired the one-timer past Henrik Lundqvist to tie the game at 1.
That is how it stayed until overtime when Karl Alzner‘s point shot was deflected right in front of Lundqvist by Brouwer, and the puck slid across to a wide open Mike Riberio, who jammed it home for the game winner.
Game 6 will go Sunday evening from New York, with the Capitals having the first chance of the series at eliminating the Rangers. New York trailed Ottawa 3 games to 2 last season and won game 6 on the road over the Senators before winning game 7 at home, so they have been in this situation before.