Rangers beat Pens to force Game 7

PITTSBURGH >> Chris Kreider's long slap shot bounced over Louis Domingue and into the net with 1:28 left and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Friday night to push their thrilling firstround series to a deciding Game 7.

Kreider's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs sent the series back to New York. Game 7 is Sunday at Madison Square Garden. PANTHERS 4, CAPITALS 3, OT >> Carter Verhaeghe scored 2:46 into overtime to send the Florida Panthers to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1996.

The Panthers will have home-ice advantage for their next series against either cross-state rival Tampa Bay or Toronto.

MATT FREED — PITTSBURGH POSTGAZETTE Rangers center Mika Zibanejad celebrates after scoring against Penguins goaltender Louis Domingue during the third period on Friday in Pittsburgh.