With the exception of 1 season, 1993-94, when they hoisted the Stanley Cup, Ranger fans know the feeling of a season ending too soon. After dropping a heart breaking 2-1 overtime decision in Washington on Friday night, that sinking feeling is bubbling to the surface again. The Capitals now lead the series 3-2 and can end the Rangers season Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

With the series locked up at 2 apiece the scene moved back to Washington for game 5. The Rangers have struggled in Washington so it was met with high fives when they jumped om the Caps early, real early in game 5.

Brian Boyle scored just 53 seconds into the game, on a terrific pass from behind the net from Derick Brassard. New York however wouldn't score again the rest of the game. The Rangers had 10 shots on goaltender Braden Holtby in the opening period. However over the next 2 periods combined they managed a total of just 9.

Joel Ward tied the game in the 2nd period. Neither club scored the remainder of regulation. Washington clearly had the better of play but Ranger goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stood met the challenge, keeping the Caps from scoring the rest of regulation. For Lundqvist it was  his best performance of the series but it would not be enough.

The Rangers have struggled in OT in the playoffs recently and that struggle continued in game 5. Both teams had great scoring chances in the extra session but it was Washington that finished 1 of those chances off.

Mike Ribeiro tapped in an easy rebound right in front of the net 9:24 into the extra period to win the game. Lundqvist made the original save on Troy Brouwer but the puck just lay right on the ice for Ribeiro's heroics and the game winner, nothing Henrik could do about stopping it and the Rangers unable to tie up the Washington forward and stop him from tapping the puck into the open net.

Game 5, a win or go home for a loong summer for the Rangers is a special 4:30 faceoff. The winner of this series is locked into facing the winner of the Bruins-Maple Leafs series in round 2. Pittsburgh, the top seed, finished off the Islanders in 6 games and will face Ottawa, the 7th seed in the next round. The Senators defeated the 2nd seeded Montreal Canadiens in 5 games and they will take on  Sid Crosby and the Pens in round 2

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