Saturday’s Three Stars: Green’s late goal lifts Caps to 3-2 win over Rangers
No. 1 Star: Mike Green, Washington Capitals
Each team received two power plays apiece, but it was Green who was the only one to capitalize with the extra man as his goal with 5:48 left in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Capitals 3-2 win over the New York Rangers:
The series is now even at two as things shift to Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
No. 2 Star: Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
As both teams traded goals throughout, Backstrom tallied Washington's second of the afternoon after protecting the puck from Artem Anisimov, then remaining out of sight of the New York defenders:
The goal was Backstrom's first since Game 2 against the Boston Bruins in the first round.
No. 3 Star: Artem Anisimov, New York Rangers
While Anisimov had a tough afternoon defensively, he did put up a 2-point game with a goal and an assist for the Rangers.
Honorable mention: Washington hasn't lost two games in a row since March 22-23 ... They're also 3-0 in games after overtime losses in these playoffs ... Braden Holtby made 18 saves ... Via AP: "According to STATS LLC, it was the 13th time in their Capitals careers that Ovechkin, Backstrom and Green scored in the same game."
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers; 3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 4. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 5. Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers; 6. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; 7. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils; 8. Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils; 9. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators; 10. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings.
Dishonorable mention: Was Alex Ovechkin's hit on Dan Girardi worthy of supplemental discipline?
