Rangers 1, Capitals 0
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Derick Brassard scored the only goal in the New York Rangers' 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
The best-of-seven series is tied at three games apiece. Game 7 is Monday night at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C.
Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for New York in recording his seventh career shutout in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Both teams had opportunities in the first 49:39 spanning the first and second periods before Brassard snapped the scoreless tie with a slap shot from inside the blueline which bounced off Capitals' defenseman Steve Olesky as it sailed past Braden Holtby.
Brassard's goal was Holtby's lone mistake in a 28-save performance.
New York outshot Washington, 29-25.
One of the themes in New York's three losses in the series has been the Rangers' penchant for taking penalties. That was not an issue yesterday because New York was not penalized.
However, New York's power play is still an area of concern. The Rangers went 0-for-4 Sunday and are now 2-for-25 in the series. Washington entered the day 3-for-14 with the man advantage in the series.
NOTES: Did Rangers coach John Tortorella have any nerves about his team heading into a do-or-die elimination game? "I always feel good about my team," Tortorella said in a 26 second pre-game press conference Sunday afternoon. ... Due to an undisclosed injury suffered in the 2-1 loss in Game 5, Ryane Clowe was replaced in New York's lineup by Chris Kreider. ... One of the unsung players that contributed to Washington enjoying a three-games-to-two series lead before Game Six was Troy Brouwer. The right wing had two points (a goal and an assist) in the first give games of the series. "To me, (Brouwer) is one of our captains," Washington coach Adam Oates said during his pre-game press availability. "He's probably been our most solid guy all year, night-in and night out. I play him in every situation he's been reliable. I think he's had a terrific year. He's been through (the playoff) grind. He knows what that means. His addition on the power play has been vital to us. He got off early and had some success, and he's carried it through the lineup all year."
