Rangers vs. Capitals: Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis from Game 2

The Washington Capitals evened their Stanley Cup playoff series against the New York Rangers with a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. The Caps, the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, spoiled Rangers youngster Chris Kreider's 21st birthday with goals from Mike Knuble, Jason Chimera and Alexander Ovechkin, the latter of whom D.C. coach Dale Hunter used brilliantly both on and off the ice.

Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan got into the scoring column for the Blueshirts, who were ultimately done in by defensive mistakes in front of, and involving, Henrik Lundqvist.

Tweets of the Night

Alexander Ovechkin's been so anonymous in the Stanley Cup playoffs, even TSN's Bruce Arthur seems to have forgotten who he is...

"

I don't know who this goateed Russian Ovechkin is, but hey, nice shot.

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 1, 2012"

ESPN's Freddie Coleman surely isn't the only one who wouldn't mind seeing Caps-Rangers go seven:

"

7 games of Rangers-Caps will be ALRIGHT with me!! #nhlplayoffs

— Freddie Coleman (@ColemanESPN) May 1, 2012"

"Hmmm...let's see...if I'm in New York, should I watch the Knicks, who haven't won a playoff game since the Millard Fillmore administration, or the Rangers, who look like a legitimate Cup contender?"

"

Once again: New York, the top media market in the country, has to deal w/ Rangers & Knicks playoff games at the same time.

— IAMAGM.com (@IAMAGM) April 30, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Here's another look at Ovi's game-winning goal from Monday night:

Grades for Key Rangers Players

Brad Richards: A-

Brad Richards made his presence felt once again, scoring one Rangers goal and assisting on the other while getting off five shots.

Unfortunately for New York, it wasn't quite enough to keep D.C. from getting back into the series.

Henrik Lundqvist: B-

This wasn't King Henrik's finest effort in goal, to say the least. The Vezina Trophy finalist allowed three of the 25 total shots to get through, including an easy score by Jason Chimera in the first period, when Lundqvist mishandled the puck behind the net.

Grades for Key Capitals Players

Alex Ovechkin: A-

Ovi was everywhere he needed to be in this game, both on and off the ice. Dale Hunter kept him off the ice for the vast majority of the first period, which seemed to scuttle the Blueshirts' strategy.

When Ovechkin was out there, though, he was as active as ever. The Russian superstar got off seven shots on the evening, most notably a Nicklas Backstrom-assisted beauty on the power play in the third to put the Caps on top for good.

Braden Holtby: A

Holtby continued his run as the surprise of the playoffs with another brilliant effort in goal for Washington. The rookie stopped 26-of-28 shots to help the Caps even the series.

Deciding Factor: Goaltending

It's not everyday that Henrik Lundqvist finds himself outplayed by anyone, much less a rookie.

But on Monday, he was—and it made all the difference for D.C. 

Game MVP: Holtby

Holtby was so good, he might've stopped a team of five Ovechkins...

Okay, maybe not, but you get the point.

What's Next

These two teams will resume the series at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday in Washington.

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