NHL Playoffs: Braden Holtby Leads Capitals to Win

Henrik Lundqvist made 37 saves for the Rangers while Holtby saved 59 of 60.

Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby kicked, swiped, caught and otherwise kept getting in the way of the puck, matching each other save-for-save for a second shy of 68 minutes, until Mike Green scored the power-play goal in overtime that gave the Washington Capitals a sweep at home to open their playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Green nailed a one-timer from high in the slot on a feed from Mike Ribeiro precisely at the eight-minute mark of the extra period, Holtby made 24 saves for his first career playoff shutout, and the Capitals beat the Rangers 1-0 Saturday to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

With Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the penalty box for delay of game, having lifted the puck over the glass in New York's defensive zone, the Capitals took advantage of their first power play since the first period. Ribeiro faked a slap shot, and then pushed the puck to Green, who beat Lundqvist to the glove side.

Game 3 is Monday in New York.

Henrik Lundqvist made 37 saves for the Rangers. Holtby has saved 59 of 60 shots in the series, including 35 of 36 in Thursday's 3-1 victory in Game 1.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, BRUINS 2

Joffrey Lupul scored two goals and Toronto got a win over Boston that evened the first-round series at one game.

The Maple Leafs played aggressively from the start after a weak performance in a 4-1 loss in which the Bruins were much more physical.

But that changed early in Game 2 as Toronto delivered 22 hits in the first period to just 10 for Boston.

Nathan Horton gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 1:56 of the second period, but Lupul scored at 5:18 on a power play and at 11:56 with the teams at even strength.

Phil Kessel made it 3-1 on a breakaway 53 seconds into the third period. Johnny Boychuk cut the lead at 10:35 before James van Riemsdyk scored for Toronto at 16:53.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven playoff series is Monday night in Toronto.

DUCKS 4, RED WINGS 0

Nick Bonino scored for Anaheim on a second-period power play — 18 seconds after Detroit's Justin Abdelkader was ejected for a violent hit on Toni Lydman — and the Ducks went on to a victory to take a 2-1 series lead over the Red Wings in the Western Conference playoffs.

Abdelkader appeared to catch Lydman square in the side of the head with his left shoulder, and he was given a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct with 4:49 remaining in the second.

The Ducks immediately took advantage when Bonino backhanded a shot past goalie Jimmy Howard from point-blank range.

Ryan Getzlaf, Emerson Etem and Matt Beleskey scored in the third period for the Ducks. Jonas Hiller made 23 saves for Anaheim.

KINGS 1, BLUES 0

Jonathan Quick made 30 saves in his fifth career playoff shutout, leading Los Angeles over St. Louis, trimming the Blues' series lead to 2-1.

Slava Voynov scored in the second period for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who got a brilliant performance from their Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie in a tight defensive game.

Los Angeles will attempt to even the series in Game 4 on Monday night.

After making self-described mistakes that led to both of the Blues' winning goals in St. Louis, Quick won his duel with Brian Elliott, who stopped 20 shots.

St. Louis has allowed just three goals in the series, but Quick kept the Kings unbeaten at home since March 23.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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