Facing elimination, the Washington Capitals did indeed bounce back from a pair of heartbreaking losses to the New York Rangers, taking Game 6 by a score of 2-1.
(No, Benched Press is not turning into a full-time Caps blog. But DC-area sports fans aren't used to winning and playoffs, so deal with it.)
Washington got on the board first with a goal from star Alexander Ovechkin and another from Jason Chimera to lead 2-0 with one minute remaining in regulation.
But the Rangers pulled goalie Henrik Lundqvist, allowing Marian Gaborik to score a goal and give Caps fans a bit of high blood pressure.Still, goalie Braden Holtby and the Washington defense killed the remaining 50 seconds and escaped the Verizon Center with a win, forcing its second Game 7 in as many playoff series this year.
It was a gutsy performance from the Caps, who have proven to be a team that just won't go away through two playoff series in their quest for the Stanley Cup.
Holtby turned in another outstanding performance -- gee, that sounds familiar -- stopping 30 of 31 Rangers shots. It prompted NBC Sports to offer up an interesting stat.
Following a playoff loss, Holtby is 6-0 in goal, stopping 192 of 200 Bruins and Rangers shots for an outstanding .960 save percentage.
New York and Washington face off in Madison Square Garden on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The winner of the pivotal game will face a well-rested New Jersey Devils team that made quick work of the Philadelphia Flyers, winning the best-of-seven series in just five games.
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