Photo by AWard Tour

Just moments ago a final buzzer rang in Gallery Place, a clarion call signaling the Washington Capital’s’ berth into the second round of the NHL playoffs. It took five games — two more than the past five playoff series since 2008 — to move past the New York Rangers 3-1 at the Verizon Center. Until most of the way through the third period the Caps were up 3-0, thanks to an Ovechkin second period goal in the second period and a series of third period saves by Neuvirth. The Rangers were able to throw up a single tick on the score board with a sixth-man goal with 31.5 seconds remaining.

Now the team, for the first time in awhile, can rest and wait for the remainder of the other series to conclude to find out their next opponent. Earlier today, Tampa Bay kept their chances alive against Pittsburgh with an 8-2 win, pushing their series record to 2-3 and sending it back to home ice in Tampa.