Rangers Outlast Capitals In Game One

RANGERS 4

CAPITALS 3

Looks like the Rangers are gearing up for a long playoff run in 2009.

The Rangers stuned the number two seeded Washington Capitals 4-3 in Game One of a best of seven series in the first round of the playoffs. The Rangers lead the series 1-0.

After a scoreless first period and a goal by Washington's Thomas Fleischmann, the Rangers stormed back to take the lead and quiet the Capital faithful. Scott Gomez tied the game with an unassited goal with 7:49 to go in the second. Later, Nik Antropov scored on a power play goal to give New York a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, Markus Naslund scored on another power play goal, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead.

But the Capitals would come back. Viktor Kozlov and Alexander Semin scored on consecutive goals to tie the game at three in the opening minutes of the final period. The game went into a defensive standoff from there, as neither team could get anything past the respective goalies.

Finally, 11:43 into the thrid, Brandon Dubinsky scored the Rangers fourth goal of the night to take a 4-3 lead. Rangers goalie Henrick Lundqvist bore down and held the Capitals shooting star Alexander Ovechkin scoreless for the entire contest, which was a huge factor to the Rangers success. BOXSCORE.