The New York Rangers were less than two minutes away from seeing their season end before coming up with two goals to beat Washington 2-1 in overtime on Friday and stay alive in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Going into the game trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, the Rangers' season looked over before Chris Kreider tied the game with 1:41 left and Ryan McDonagh netted 9:37 into overtime to trim the series deficit to 3-2.
In the day's other game, Anaheim won 4-2 at Calgary to go 3-1 up in that series.
The Rangers continued their uncanny knack of staving off elimination in home games at Madison Square Garden. They have won each of their past nine home playoff games when facing elimination, dating back to 2008.
"We are still alive," Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said after a 28-save performance. "Being in their shoes, we've been there. Going home now there is a lot of pressure for them. I know for sure they don't want to come back here for another game. So we'll try to use that to our advantage."
Game six is Sunday in Washington, and there is bound to be pressure on the Capitals. Since 1985, they have lost nine series in which they led either 2-0 or 3-1. That includes a first-round loss to the Rangers in 2013 in which they led 2-0 and 3-2.
"Of course you want to close out the series," said Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, who is still looking to reach his first conference final. "You have to forget about it and move forward."
Meanwhile Anaheim's Matt Beleskey broke a tie on a power play early in the third period as the Ducks went on to victory at Calgary.
Anaheim leads the series 3-1 and can close it out at home Sunday.
Jakob Silfverberg, Andrew Cogliano and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Ducks, and Frederik Andersen made 25 saves.
Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland scored for Calgary, and Karri Ramo stopped 25 shots.
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