Rangers vs. Capitals: Game 6 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

The New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals are headed for another Game 7 in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, the second of these for each team.

The Caps bounced back from a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 5 with a stronger defensive effort to claim Game 6 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday.

Dale Hunter's squad rode a stellar effort by speedy left wing Jason Chimera (one goal on five shots) on offense and the brick wall of Braden Holtby (30 saves on 31 shots) to victory over the visiting Blueshirts, who still managed to out-shoot (31-23) and out-hit (37-33) their hosts.

Chimera had a hand in both goals, first drawing a penalty on Artem Anisimov early in the first to put the Caps on the power play for Alex Ovechkin's goal and then slotting home the second on helpers from Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson.

As a result, the Blueshirts and the Caps will both be battling for a spot in the Eastern Conference finals when this series returns to the Big Apple on Saturday.  

Tweets of the Night

Here's Grantland's Bill Barnwell with the not-so-subtle jab at the Caps for relinquishing their lead at the end of Game 5:

"

Well, these new Capitals know how to hold a lead, so game over, I guess.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) May 9, 2012"

Not that this well-dressed Caps fan, caught on camera by ESPN, is worried about it:

"

This kid approves of the Caps being up 2-0 tonight -> yfrog.com/0iy0rrj

— ESPN (@espn) May 10, 2012"

Speaking of the Worldwide Leader, "SportsCenter" anchor Linda Cohn had some harsh words for the Blueshirts, who apparently could stand to take a cue from the New York Mets, of all teams:

"

The Mets are more fired up going for sweep in Philly in May, than Rangers are looking right now on verge of ECF! #figureitout

— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) May 10, 2012"

Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand wouldn't mind a tri-state series in the 2012 Eastern Conference finals. Whether the Rangers are ready, willing and/or able to skate across the Hudson River remains to be seen:

"

Who wants to see a devils vs rangers eastern conference final? I know I do

— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) May 10, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Let's have another look at the Jason Chimera goal that turned out to be the game-winner:

Grades for Key Rangers Players

Marian Gaborik: B

Marian Gaborik deserves some credit for picking up New York's only goal of the game, though he was practically a non-factor for most of the game. Gaby got off three shots and registered but one hit against Washington, thereby contributing a bit too much to the Rangers' ineffectual offensive showing. 

Henrik Lundqvist: B

King Henrik shouldn't shoulder the blame for the Blueshirts' inability to put the puck in the net, though he did still let two of the Caps' 23 shots get by him amidst a solid defensive effort in front of him. 

Grades for Key Capitals Players

Alexander Ovechkin: A-

Ovechkin had himself a vintage Ovi-type game this Game 6. The Russian sensation racked up a goal on three shots, along with three blocked shots and five hits, in 15:14 of ice time in D.C. His physicality all over the ice once again helped the Caps to overcome their offensive disadvantage against the high-powered Blueshirts to secure the victory. 

Braden Holtby: A+

A goalie can't do much better than stopping 30 shots if the opposing team gets off 31 against him.

That's exactly what Braden Holtby did on the way to what was almost his first playoff shutout, all the while outplaying Henrik Lundqvist.

Deciding Factor: Seizing Opportunities

The Rangers were once again the more dominant team offensively, but they couldn't quite capitalize on any of their chances for the first 59:09 of the game.

The Capitals, on the other hand, got off eight fewer shots yet managed to pick up the first two goals of the game by creating their own luck. D.C. was more industrious in its efforts on the ice, with Jason Chimera leading the way in that department.

Game MVP: Jason Chimera/Braden Holtby

This was a toss-up, more or less, between Braden Holtby and Jason Chimera, both of whom had fantastic games on Wednesday.

So, rather than choose one or the other, I decided to split the difference. The rookie goaltender gets a big nod for coming within 50.5 seconds of notching the first playoff shutout of his career. Chimera, on the other hand, steals some of the spotlight for his pesky feats of speed demonry, including drawing an early penalty on Artem Anisimov to set up Ovechkin's opening score and putting through the Caps' second goal himself. 

What's Next?

These two teams will return to New York for Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Follow @J0shMart1n