Rangers Win in Triple OT Against the Caps

Last night the most die-hard NHL fans got what they wait all season long for — a playoff game that was actually two hockey games in one. While not quite two games were played out between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals, it was pretty close to, as this one didn’t only go into triple OT — it went late into triple OT; and it wasn’t until there was just over five minutes left that Marian Gaborik shot one past Caps goaltender Braden Holtby and won it for the Rangers.

In a game like that, even one that reaches historic lengths, every single minute is exciting and neither teams disappointed. The scoreboard and the stats were almost identical for both teams throughout the entire game. The Rangers scored first in the second period, and then the Caps scored five minutes later. The Capitals won 51 face-offs, the Rangers won 49; New York blocked 41 shots, Washington blocked 40. It was a game that was well-fought by both teams and where neither team outplayed the other. However, that might not matter for Washington.

No one ever wants to lose. And really no one ever wants to lose in the playoffs. But losing in regulation and losing in OT, let alone triple OT, is something else entirely; and it’s extremely hard for teams to come back from. Holtby said after the game, “That’s extremely, extremely disappointing. Whenever you lose in overtime it sucks, but when you lose in triple overtime, it’s even worse.”

No, there’s nothing like losing in triple OT. And there may be nothing like winning, either.

“I felt like it was never going to end,” said Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist after the game. “It’s a feeling where, usually I scream and am so excited. I was just too tired.”

Both teams will have a chance to relax with a two-day break until their next game. We’re guessing that both teams probably have the day off today.

Categorized in: NHL