Rangers vs. Capitals: Game 6 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 NHL Playoffs

The New York Rangers refuse to go gentle into that good night, as they knocked off the Washington Capitals on Sunday in Game 6 by a final score of 4-3 to force a decisive Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden.

Unlike the previous game, which saw the Rangers shut out offensively until Chris Kreider found the net with less than two minutes to play in regulation, New York was all over Capitals goalie Braden Holtby on Sunday, with Kreider touching him up for two goals in the first period. 

After being so good in Game 5 before Kreider got to him late, Holtby was off his game right out of the chute and only managed to stop 24 of 28 shots on Sunday night. 

Seth Rothman of InsideHockey.com noted that Holtby was likely due for a regression given the unusually high level of play he had shown this series:

The scoring barrage was a welcome sight for the Rangers, who struggled to find offensive production all postseason prior to Sunday, as noted by MSG Network's Kenny Albert:

The young winger is quickly moving his way up New York's all-time playoff goal list. Kreider, 24 years old, had 14 goals in the postseason prior to Sunday night, which put him in some pretty impressive company, via Elias Sports Bureau:

All of that offense was necessary for the Rangers, who led 4-1 five minutes into the third period but were fighting their own exhaustion down the stretch. New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has been great all postseason, allowed two goals in less than three minutes midway through the third period to give Washington a chance. 

The Capitals were just punishing Lundqvist with shots all game, even though it took them nearly 35 minutes to get their first goal. WFAN's Sean Hartnett noted Lundqvist's 17 first-period saves were the most he has made so far in a single period this postseason:

Washington finished with 45 shots on goal and had several good looks late in the third period to tie the game. But Lundqvist turned into a stone wall when the Rangers needed him the most, which is what you would expect from a star in a big game. 

Russian sports writer Slava Malamud joked on Twitter that Lundqvist nearly broke a clause in his contract stipulating that he can't allow four goals in a game:

I say it's a joke, but Lundqvist has only allowed more than three goals once in 10 postseason games this season. This game also marked the 10th consecutive victory by a one-goal margin for the Rangers in the playoffs. 

There's a bad combination of things at work here for the Capitals heading into Game 7, as noted by David Satriano of NHL.com:

Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin failed to score for the fourth game in a row, matching a dubious mark from December, per Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington:

Despite failing to score, Ovechkin seemed to play this game with more aggression and desperation than normal, likely understanding that a Game 7 in New York wasn't going to be good for his team. He even delivered a hit that knocked Rangers star defenseman Ryan McDonagh out of the game, which can be seen in this video from NBC Sports:

Ovechkin has been getting good looks throughout the series, but they haven't been going in the last few games. However, teammate Jason Chimera pointed out to Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post prior to Game 6 that it's only a matter of time until Ovechkin sparks into form:

"

You can’t keep a guy like that down too long. He’s got his looks, he’s playing hard, you’re not going to stop him. You can limit his looks but he’s going to get those looks and they’re going to go in eventually tomorrow. I have no doubt he’s going to score a big goal tomorrow.

"

Jason Chimera, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward scored the goals for the Capitals, though they came up one goal short of forcing overtime. Now, this team has to travel back to New York for what is sure to be a wild scene at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. 

Lundqvist didn't have his best statistical effort in Game 6, but when the Rangers needed him to stop shots, the star goaltender delivered. New York lives and dies on his shoulders, and no one has answered the bell like he has. 

The Capitals gave the Rangers a small opening in Game 5, which they took advantage of. In Game 6, the Rangers used that small opening to break the door down. Now, it all comes down to Game 7. Washington hasn't closed out well at all, while New York has one of the best closers in net. It's a dangerous combination for the away team, and the final answer will come Wednesday night.