Rangers Hold Off Capitals to Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead
The Washington Capitals welcomed in the New York Rangers for Game Three of this Eastern Conference playoff matchup, looking to defend home ice and dig themselves out of a 2-0 series hole. The Rangers, on the other hand, overpowered Washington in the first two games on their home ice and were looking to do more of the same and take a stranglehold on this series. Ultimately, the Rangers were able to hold off a late-game effort from the underdog Capitals to win 3-1. Here is how game three went down.
The first period was full of action, with both teams combining for 20 shots and three goals. The Capitals got on the board first for a much-needed goal to get the home crowd fired up in what was a must-win game for Washington. John Carlson took a pass from T.J Oshie and shot a bit of a knuckleball that fooled Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin to give the Capitals the 1-0 lead. That lead was short-lived as the Rangers answered back just 44 seconds later with a goal by Chris Kreider, who scored on a redirect off a shot from Mika Zibanejad. Then, just 10 seconds into a Washington powerplay, Barclay Goodrow and Vincent Trocheck got out on a two-on-one, and Goodrow buried the short-handed goal to give New York the 2-1 advantage that they would take into the locker room.
The second period was a battle of equals, with both teams displaying their toughness and physicality. However, the Rangers extended their lead to 3-1 with a powerplay goal from Vincent Trocheck, leaving the Capitals with a mountain to climb. Despite having two power plays of their own, the Capitals were unable to capitalize, underscoring their offensive struggles and setting the stage for a tense third period.
The third period was the Igor Shesterkin show. Washington was desperate to get back in this game as they obviously could not afford to go down 3-0 in the series, and their desperation showed in the final twenty minutes. The Capitals nearly tripled New York in shots on goal in the third period, and Washington also had two power plays in the third. Despite all this, Shesterkin stood tall and shut the Capitals out in the third period, allowing the Rangers to take a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who was held to just one shot on goal in the first two games combined, was again unable to get his name on the scoresheet in a game the Capitals needed. Washington also went 0-6 on powerplay chances, while the Rangers went 1-4.
In case you were wondering how bleak things look for the Capitals, there have been 208 teams to go down 3-0 in a best-of-seven series in NHL history, and only four of those teams have come back to win the series. The most recent team to accomplish this was the 2014 Kings. However, in order for the Capitals to come back, they have to win game four first. Game Four will be Sunday night in Washington D.C., as the Rangers look to close out the sweep in enemy territory, and the Capitals look to keep their season alive.
