Special teams lift Rangers to 3-0 lead over Caps
Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a shorthanded assist, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers moved one win away from advancing by beating the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 3 Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.
The visiting Rangers scored goals at even-strength 5 on 5, up 5 on 4 and down 4 on 5 in a special teams showcase from the Presidents' Trophy winners who finished atop the NHL regular season in part because of their potent power play. Trocheck set up Barclay Goodrow shorthanded and scored on the power play, while Chris Kreider tipped the puck in for his franchise-best 42nd career playoff goal.
At the other end of the rink, Shesterkin looked like his 2022 Vezina Trophy-winning self, robbing Max Pacioretty alone in front with a right pad stop and turning away Alex Ovechkin, who remains without a point this postseason. Shesterkin was perfect after allowing John Carlson to score on a fluttering shot just over five minutes in.
A major reason for the Rangers
pushing the Capitals to the brink of elimination in Game 4 Sunday night is that they only trailed in this one for 34 seconds until Kreider tied it. Goodrow's goal put them ahead exactly 2 minutes later, and they led the rest of the way through some choppy play and a handful of penalties called on either side.
Following up on what they did back home at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, the Rangers scored short-handed goals in consecutive playoff games for the first
time since April 1990.
Washington, which was trying to keep play 5 on 5 as much as possible to better even out a series New York had the chance to dominate, again failed to do so. Nearly a third of the game (18:31) was special teams, which plays into the Rangers' favor.
CANUCKS 2, PREDATORS 1 >>
Casey DeSmith made 30 saves for his first postseason victory as Vancouver held on to win at Nashville for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.
This was DeSmith's second
straight start and third all-time in the playoffs with Thatcher Demko out since the series opener with an injury.
J.T. Miller had a power-play goal and an assist, and Brock Boeser's power-play goal wound up the game-winner. Quinn Hughes had two assists as Vancouver took back home-ice advantage.
Game 4 is Sunday in Nashville.
Luke Evangelista helped Nashville avoid being shut out as he put a wrister top shelf with 3:12 remaining. Coach Andrew Brunette then took his timeout with 2:10 left and pulled goalie Juuse Saros. Nashville couldn't get the puck past DeSmith again.