The pace is frantic, with Washington pushing the tempo as the Caps sense a chance to grab a two-goal lead that might be more than the Rangers can overcome. Lundqvist has faced a dozen shots in the first 13 minutes; Michal Neuvirth has seen just four and is spending minutes at a time all by his lonesome in the Caps' zone.
But the 18,398 fans quieted as one with 6:11 remaining when Matt Gilroy took a blast from near the right circle that dropped Caps defenseman Mike Green. Play was stopped immediately, and Green was helped from the ice, though he was able to skate off.
The Rangers were also missing a key defenseman -- Dan Girardi wasn't on the bench as the clock ticked down past the 5:00 mark.