WASHINGTON - Rookie Andre Burakovsky scored his first two playoff goals and Braden Holtby saved a penalty shot, giving the Washington Capitals a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Burakovsky tied the game in the second period, then put Washington ahead 24 seconds into the third.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Holtby — who finished with 28 saves — flicked his glove to catch Carl Hagelin's penalty shot and preserve the lead.
The Capitals can close out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers in the best-of-seven series and advance to the conference finals for the first time in Alex Ovechkin's career by taking Game 5 in New York on Friday night.
LIGHTNING 2, CANADIENS 1
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Johnson's goal with 1.1 seconds remaining have the Lightning a 3-0 lead in the series. Johnson scored his eighth goal of the post-season off a pass from Victor Hedman in a stunning finish for the Canadiens, who tied it midway through the third period on Brendan Gallagher's goal.
Ben Bishop stopped 30 shots for Tampa Bay, 8-0 against Montreal this season. The game appeared headed for overtime when the Lightning gathered to take one more crack at goalie Carey Price.
Hedman carried into the left circle and sent his pass through the middle just beyond defenceman P.K. Subban's stick to Johnson converging on Price from the right.
The Lightning won their fifth straight playoff game and will go for a sweep of the Eastern Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in Tampa.
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