Rangers back in series vs. Capitals | The Salt Lake Tribune

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New York • Derek Stepan and Arron Asham both scored tiebreaking goals in the third period for the New York Rangers in a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 on Monday night.

The Rangers finally found their offense and got back into their first-round playoff series. New York still trails 2-1 in the Eastern Conference series, with Game 4 here Wednesday night.

Stepan gave the Rangers the lead for good with 6:25 remaining when he deftly tipped in a pass in front from Rick Nash. Asham had put New York in front 3-2 at 2:53, but Jay Beagle got the Capitals even again 4:26 later.

"It was an interesting game," Stepan said. "The flows of it were up and down. Early lead, they tie it. We get another one, they tie it.

"As a team we just stuck together. On the bench everyone had a good feeling."

Derick Brassard had a goal and two assists for the Rangers, who managed only one goal in the first two losses in Washington and hadn't scored since the first period of Game 1 — a scoreless stretch of 124 minutes, 6 seconds. That streak was broken by Brian Boyle's first-period goal that made it 1-1.

Until then, New York had been stymied by the Capitals and goalie Braden Holtby, who had yielded just one goal in two games. Holtby, who suggested he wasn't tested much in Washington's 1-0 overtime victory on Saturday, had plenty to deal with when the series shifted to Madison Square Garden.

"It's great, we put a few behind him," Boyle said. "We have to keep that same mentality. We have to keep shooting pucks."

Kings 4, Blues 3 • In Los Angeles, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams scored third-period goals as the defending Stanley Cup champions rallied to even their series with St. Louis at 2-2.

Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 2 • Boston spoiled the return of playoff hockey to Toronto, scoring two quick goals in the second period in a victory over the Maple Leafs. The win came before 19,746 fans inside the Air Canada Centre in the first postseason game in Toronto since 2004.

Red Wings 3, Ducks 2 • Damien Brunner scored with 4:50 left in overtime, lifting host Detroit to a series-evening win over Anaheim. Pavel Datsyuk scored a second game-tying goal for the Red Wings with 6:33 left in regulation.