Playoffs Preview and Live Thread - May 4

New York Rangers at Washington Capitals, Game 3

Series Tied 1-1

7:30 PM EST NBCSN

During last night's set of Game Two action, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Anaheim Ducks all leapt out to 2-0 leads in their respective series (the Lightning did it on the road).  That makes Rangers Capitals the closest matchup so far in this second round, and with the teams tied at 1 game a piece, this Game 3 in Washington will be critical.  This series has been hard fought physically and tight defensively, and with both games decided by just one goal.  In game one, Joel Ward was the hero for the Capitals, silencing Madison Square Garden with the game winning goal 19:58 seconds into the third period.  But in game two, the Rangers took their revenge.  Chris Kreider scored just 38 seconds into the game and the Ranger followed him up with another first period goal by Dan Boyle. The Capitals won the second with Evgeny Kuznetsov's 4th goal of the series, but New York regained the lead early in the third on a beautiful spinning goal by Derick Brassard.  Alex Ovechkin potted his 4th playoff goal but the Capitals couldn't find the equalizer late.

Root for the Rangers: If "Jesper Fast" is your spy (/stripper) name

Root for the Capitals: If you want Ovechkin to steal a seat from every New York arena.