The New York Rangers were finally able to solve Braden Holtby multiple times, making the netminder look human in their 4-3 nail biter victory last night. Chris Kreider scored in the first minute and last second of the first period to give the Rangers an early two-goal lead. Both of those goals were deflating for the Washington Capitals, but they answered back on a Jason Chimera goal in the first minute of the second.

Rick Nash and Dan Boyle gave the Rangers a commanding 4-1 lead in the third, but the Caps came roaring back to make it 4-3 with nine minutes left in the game. After that (and all game, to be honest), it was all Henrik Lundqvist. The All-World netminder stopped 42 total shots, many of them difficult, as he almost willed the team into a Game Seven back at MSG.

The most important aspect of this game, aside from the win, is that Braden Holtby looked human for the first time these playoffs. The forecheck was tenacious, and the Rangers finally got men in front to provide screens on attempts. Holtby bobbled a few shots, which is something he hadn’t done through the first five games.

On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Caps 0

The Rangers catch Karl Alzner on a bad pinch, as they overloaded the strong side, took puck possession, and then Jesper Fast sent Kreider off to the races with a pass off the boards. Kreider was actually unable to get a step on Matt Niskanen, who defended the play well. But Kreider kept control with one hand, and then flipped a backhander over Holtby for the first goal.

Rangers 2, Caps 0

The Rangers won a faceoff on the powerplay –rare, I know– and Derick Brassard got the puck on net as fast as he could. Holtby made the save, but didn’t control the rebound. The puck bounced the Rangers’ way, going off John Carlson’s skate, through Holtby, and to Kreider in front who got it over the goal line with 0.2 seconds remaining. Alain Vigneault started four forwards for this shift, as the Caps weren’t going to get an offensive chance. Brilliant coaching move there.

Caps 1, Rangers 2

This goal was the product of a good cycle by the Caps, as Joel Ward’s shot from the circle was deflected by Evgeny Kuznetsov in front, who broke free from Derek Stepan, who got caught watching Ward with the puck. The deflection was enough to get through Lundqvist and have the puck sit in the crease, where Chimera’s stick got there before Kevin Klein’s for the goal.

Rangers 3, Caps 1

Nash came in on the forecheck and forced Niskanen into a turnover behind the net, where Brassard got the puck along the boards and fired it to the slot. Martin St. Louis didn’t get the shot on net, but was able to chase his own puck down behind and get the puck to Nash going to the slot. The Caps were chasing on this due to the turnover, so Nash found the seam between Niskanen, Alzner, and Nick Backstrom to receive the pass. Backstrom hooked him a bit, but Nash retained possession, drew Holtby out, and tucked it by him.

Rangers 4, Caps 1

The fourth line had a great shift here, as James Sheppard, Tanner Glass, and Marc Staal all combined to eventually force Troy Brouwer into a bad cross-ice pass that J.T. Miller was able to hold into the zone. Sheppard collected the puck behind the net, and found Boyle in the seam at the high slot. Boyle rocketed the shot over Holtby, who was screened by Jay Beagle on the play.

Caps 2, Rangers 4

Stepan and Fast had a miscommunication, and that led to a turnover to Kuznetsov in front. He turned and simply fired it over Lundqvist. There was no real defensive/positioning issue on this, just a miscommunication.

Caps 3, Rangers 4

Chimera’s odd angle shot appeared to handcuff Lundqvist a bit, as he kicked the shot out from a weird angle. Ward made a great effort to get to the front of the net, having beaten Kevin Klein already. His stuff-in was stopped, but Lundqvist and Brassard both whiffed multiple times at the loose puck, and Ward got his stick on the puck as Lundqvist couldn’t cover in time.

USAT/Fenwick Chart

rangers capitals playoffs 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

This has score effects (meaning teams change their systems when up a lot in the third, leading to more shots against) written all over it. The teams were relatively evenly matched through the first two periods, playing very high event hockey (something the Caps had prevented fairly well up to this point). When the Rangers took their three gaol lead, they basically sat back for the rest of the game. They didn’t even attempt a shot at even strength after. The Caps took it to the shell, getting two goals, but in the end they couldn’t get the third.

Scoring Chances

rangers capitals playoffs 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

This is consistent with above, as the Rangers turtled and got shelled in the process. They gave the Caps a bunch of good chances too. Boy do I hate the turtle.

Individual SAT/Corsi

rangers capitals playoffs 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Score effects, consistent with the above charts.

Shot Locations

rangers capitals playoffs 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Shift Chart

rangers capitals playoffs 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Typical AV shift chart here. Great job matching up on Ovechkin this game as well.

Well folks, it’s another Game Seven with the Caps. Puck drop is Wednesday night.

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