Capitals 2 - 3 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Down 2-0, Rangers host Caps in Game 3 of East quarters

Apr 17, 2011 - 3:15 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Rangers will try to get on the board in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals when they host the top-seeded Washington Capitals in Game 3 today at Madison Square Garden.

The eighth-seeded Rangers lost the first two tests of this best-of-seven series in D.C. and New York has managed just one goal so far in the set.

Washington, which is the top seed in the East for a second straight year, recorded a 2-1 overtime win in Wednesday's Game 1 meeting and the Caps posted a 2-0 decision Friday night at the Verizon Center.

The Rangers have lost four straight and six of their last seven postseason games against Washington. The last time these clubs met in the playoffs was in the opening round in 2009 and the Caps won that series by coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 series deficits.

Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves for his first playoff shutout as Washington grabbed the victory in Game 2 on Friday. The 23-year-old Neuvirth hasn't allowed a goal since Rangers defenseman Matt Gilroy scored 1:56 into the third period of Game 1.

The Capitals scored both of their goals in the second period on Friday, as Jason Chimera and Jason Arnott tallied 1:57 apart.

"These guys just want to win and they've said it all year," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "We've had a bunch of guys win individual awards, but that means nothing to them now. It's the success of what could happen is what they want."

Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 16-of-18 shots for the Rangers, who took three of four from the Capitals in the regular season.

"I thought for most of the game we played much better than the other night," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. "But we got hurt by that surge from them and good teams do that."

The Rangers, who will also host Game 4 on Wednesday, was 20-17-4 at MSG this season.

Washington, meanwhile, had a solid 23-15-3 on the road this year.

These clubs have met five times in the playoffs and Washington has won three of those series.






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