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May 11, 2012

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Ovechkin helps Caps beat Rangers, force Game 7

ALEX Ovechkin rebounded from a rare zero-shot performance by scoring after 88 seconds on Wednesday and Braden Holtby made 30 saves as the Washington Capitals recovered from a potentially devastating loss by beating the top-seeded New York Rangers 2-1 to force a Game 7 in the National Hockey League Eastern Conference semifinals.

Two nights after blowing a lead in the last 10 seconds of regulation and losing in overtime, the No. 7-seeded Capitals showed immediately they were over it. Ovechkin's early powerplay goal and Jason Chimera's second-period score were just enough for the unflappable playoff rookie Holtby.

The teams meet in New York tomorrow night to determine who will face the New Jersey Devils in the conference finals.

Less than 1 1/2 minutes after the opening faceoff, Ovechkin's dropped to a knee as he powered a slap shot just inside the right post from about 30 feet in front of goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

It was Ovechkin's 30th career playoff goal, equaling the franchise record held by Peter Bondra, and came 15 seconds after Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman was sent to the penalty box for tripping Chimera.

Another miscue followed. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh wasted a chance to clear the puck, instead sending it along the boards right to a Capitals player. That giveaway led to a series of crisp passes by the Capitals - Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green were credited with assists - and an animated earful for McDonagh from Rangers coach John Tortorella.

 

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