Stanley Cup playoffs roundup: Holtby, Capitals blank Rangers, take 2-1 series lead

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Braden Holtby is a red-hot goalie. The Rangers are ice cold when it comes to scoring goals.

Put the two together and you get the result from the first Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs second round, when Holtby's stellar performance in net and Jay Beagle's fluky goal were all the Capitals needed to stifle the Rangers for a 1-0 win and a 2-1 series lead.

MORE: Must-see playoff images | Second-round schedules, TV info | Cop put pressure on Brassard?

Capitals 1, Rangers 0 (Washington leads series 2-1)

Takeaway: The Rangers, averaging just over two goals per game, are the lowest-scoring team still playing in the postseason. They've been able to get by with Henrik Lundqvist's goaltending, which was strong again Monday, and a shutdown defense. Sometimes, though, when you play that style, a hot/lucky team like the Capitals gets one bounce and that's all they need. That's what happened Monday.

The Rangers, in a bit of irony, were shut out on a night star winger Rick Nash finally came alive. After attempting six shots in the first two games, Nash managed 15 in Game 3, landing seven on net. None of it mattered, though, because Holtby, who leads all active playoff goalies with a .949 save percentage, stopped all 30 shots he faced, including one from Martin St. Louis on a second-period breakaway. The Capitals also won 40 of 68 faceoffs. 

Quotable: Capitals coach Barry Trotz was happy Beagle scored the game-winner: "I've got a special place in my heart for the grinders, if you will."

Highlight: Beagle's fluky goal, off the skate of Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle:

Next up: Wednesday at New York, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN

Three stars

3. Matt Niskanen, D, Capitals: Though the didn't reach the score sheet, Niskanen had four shots on goal, three hits and seven blocked shots while leading the Capitals with 25:26 time on ice.

2. Jay Beagle, F, Capitals: In addition to scoring the only goal, Beagle had three shots and two hits in 12:59 time on ice.

1. Braden Holtby, G, Capitals: Holtby has allowed 14 goals on 273 shots through nine games.

Injury report

No injuries reported.

Tuesday’s games

(All times Eastern)

Blackhawks at Wild, 8 p.m., NBCSN

Ducks at Flames, 9:30 p.m., USA

Author(s)
Brandon Schlager Photo

Brandon Schlager is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News.