The Washington Capitals overcame some playoff demons on Saturday, ousting the New York Rangers in five games. Tampa Bay and Los Angeles survived elimination matchups, while Boston took control of their series with Montreal.
Washington 3, New York Rangers 1: Michal Neuvirth stopped 26 shots and Alex Ovechkin netted a goal as the Rangers joined the Red Wings in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Washington had gone at least seven games in its last four playoff series, but dispatched the Rangers in five games.
Tampa Bay 8, Pittsburgh 2: Three players potted at least two goals for Tampa Bay as the Lightning survived an elimination contest in Pittsburgh. Simon Gagne, Steven Stamkos and Pavel Kubina each had two goals as Tampa jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back.
Los Angeles 3, San Jose 1: Jonathan Quick stymied the San Jose Sharks by stopping 51 shots as the Kings avoided elimination in San Jose. Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford and Dustin Penner scored in the first period for Los Angeles.
Boston 2, Montreal 1 (2OT): Nathan Horton scored 9:03 into the second overtime as Boston won the second-consecutive overtime contest in the series. Brad Marchand and Jeff Halpern scored in the third period for Boston and Montreal, respectively.
Series Standings Through Saturday
WEST
Detroit defeated Phoenix 4-0
San Jose leads Los Angeles 3-2
Sunday’s games: Vancouver at Chicago, 7:30 p.m. Versus (VAN leads 3-2); Anaheim at Nashville, 6 p.m. TSN (NAS leads 3-2)
EAST
Washington defeated NYR 4-1
Pittsburgh leads Tampa Bay 3-2
Boston leads Montreal 3-2
Sunday’s game: Philadelphia at Buffalo, 3 p.m. NBC (BUF leads 3-2)