Washington Capitals edge NY Rangers to level NHL series

Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter to give Washington a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers to level their National Hockey League playoff series. The Russian playmaker received the puck from a face off, skated to his right and fired the puck past Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers to produce the final margin. The second-round Eastern Conference best-of-seven series continues with games three and four in Washington on Wednesday and Saturday with game five back in New York on Monday. Washington's Mike Knuble opened the scoring with 12:20 elapsed in the first period and Jason Chimera doubled the Capitals' lead just 4:54 later. But Brad Richards answered for the Rangers with his fourth goal of the playoffs with only 43 seconds remaining in the first period. And New York equalized 6:58 into the third period on a power-play goal by Ryan Callahan, setting the stage for Ovechkin's game winner. Washington netminder Braden Holtby of Canada made 26 saves while Lundqvist stopped 22 shots.