Puck 'N Hockey

New York Rangers winger Brandon Dubinsky drove in from Capitals’ goalie Michal Neuvirth’s right side, fired a shot which went into the air, deflected off of defenseman Karl Alzner’s shoulder, past Neuvirth, and into the net with less than 2 minutes remaining in the third period. The goal lifted the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory and pulled them to within one game in their first round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Washington Capitals.

Brandon Dubinsky celebrates his late, lucky bounce goal. (via Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

The game played the same way the first two games in Verizon Center were; close checking, solid goaltending, and few quality scoring chances. The Rangers seemed to play with more of an edge however, while Washington played with a bit less focus, giving the Rangers seven power play opportunities. The Capitals played solid defense, and Neuvirth was solid in goal. The Rangers just seemed to have a bit of luck in the contest.

The Rangers’ Erik Christensen scored the games first goal from a severe angle that somehow found its way past Neuvirth’s left shoulder and into the top of the net to give New York a 1-0 lead. Washington got on the scoreboard with a minute left in the second period with a goal by captain Alex Ovechkin to tie the score. In the third period, Vinny Prospal put the Rangers back in front 2-1 by tapping in a rebound off of a save by Neuvirth. Washington evened the score 2-2 when Mike Knuble did the same off a shot by Nicklas Backstrom, which was initially saved by Henrik Lundquvist.

The Capitals did enough to win the contest but the bounces just didn’t seem to go their way. Moving forward, the Capitals must put this game behind them and focus on playing solid hockey like they have been the past couple of months.