The NHL Playoffs have been entertaining all week with a number of overtime matchups and tough contests and the schedule continues on Wednesday night with the Rangers and Capitals playing Game 4 with the series 2-1 in Washington's favor, while the Red Wings and Ducks will also play at 10:00 pm in Game 5 with the series tied 2-2 after four exciting games.
The New York Rangers had a must-win situation in Game 3 after dropping the first two games of the series to the Capitals and the team came through with a 4-3 victory after getting shutout in Game 2. The team scored the first goal of the series with a first period score by Carl Hagelin, but after that the team did not add another goal until Brian Boyle scored in Game 3. The Rangers needed that game and got it and with Game 4 also at Madison Square Garden, the team will need to be at their best again.
The Capitals continued to comeback throughout the game, tying the score at 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3 before being unable to force the game into overtime after Derek Stepan put the winning goal in the net. The Rangers were helped by defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who made a heads up play to keep the puck in the offensive zone, getting the puck to Mats Zuccarello, who set up Rick Nash with a shot that deflected off Stepan. The Rangers need both Stepan and Nash to heat up and goalie Henrik Lundqvist is playing much better after the first two games. He was named a Vezina Trophy finalist after winning last year and now will have a chance to continue his strong play in Game 4.
Caps goaltender Braden Holtby has been solid all series despite losing in Game 3 and Lundqvist matched his early play at the end of the game when the Capitals had a six on four advantage and tried to mount a furious comeback, but he turned away every shot. The team will need that again on Wednesday night and the power play goal by Derek Brassard was a breakthrough for the Rangers after not being able to convert a single advantage in Game 2.
The Boston Bruins and Maple Leafs will play Game 4 at 7pm with the series 2-1 in Boston's favor, while the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings are tied with the St. Louis Blues 2-2 as Game 5 goes down at 9pm. In Tuesday's matchups, the Canucks were eliminated by the Sharks in four games after losing Game 4 4-3 in overtime and now the team has to head home and wonder how they are eliminated once again after winning the division.
The Chicago Blackhawks had a record start to the season and their strong play has continued into the playoffs, as the team has a 3-1 lead over the Minnesota Wild after winning game four 3-0 after 25 saves from Corey Crawford and the team can close things out on Thursday. The Canadiens are against the wall against the Senators, down 3-1 now after Kyle Turris scored the winner in overtime to get the 3-2 win. The Islanders have played tough against the Penguins, tying the series 2-2 after a 6-4 victory in Game 4 that saw goals from Mark Streit and John Tavares.
