Washington's Matt Bradley scores on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist during the first period of Friday's playoff game.
WASHINGTON – Thanks principally to Matt Bradley – yes, Matt Bradley, not Alex Ovechkin or another of Washington’s stars – the Capitals get to keep playing this season.
Bradley scored his first two playoff goals, Ovechkin added a highlight-reel tally, rookie Simeon Varlamov posted his second shutout of the opening round, and the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 4-0 in Game 5 on Friday to avoid elimination.
“We never give up. We fight. We love the situation,” Ovechkin said. “It’s hard, but we love it.”
The seventh-seeded Rangers, who played without Sean Avery, lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading to Game 6 in New York on Sunday.
“Something has to give with our top guys. I’m not trying to insult them. We have some great guys in that locker room,” said Rangers coach John Tortorella, who threw a plastic drinking bottle into the stands during a third-period confrontation with a fan.
“This is a game where your best players have to be your best players, and it won’t happen until our best players are our best players – not kids.”
Alexander Semin also scored for second-seeded Washington, and the Rangers pulled goalie Henrik Lundqvist after two periods, replacing him with Steve Valiquette.