Nhl, Playoffs | featured news

In a game the Washington Capitals could ill afford to lose, it seemed counterintuitive that Alex Ovechkin would record a new career low for ice time in a single postseason contest. But when the Capitals needed someone to step up and break a tie in the third period of Game 2, it was Ovechkin who came through against the New York Rangers. Ovechkin’s tally on a booming point shot with 7 minutes and 27 seconds remaining stood as the game-winner in a 3-2 victory, sending this Eastern Conference semifinal series back to Washington with the teams tied at one game apiece.

Goals from unexpected sources put the Los Angeles Kings in position for another road triumph. Jonathan Quick - no surprise there - made those scores stand up. Matt Greene scored his first career playoff goal short-handed late in the second period and rookie Slava Voynov also got his first of the playoffs as the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 in the opener of a Western Conference semifinal series on Saturday night.

The NHL on Saturday suspended Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres for 25 games for launching himself into an opponent during a playoff game earlier this week.

It's time to drop the puck on the Stanley Cup playoffs. As 16 teams prepare to battle for the Cup, SI.com's Michael Farber unveils his picks: A repeat champion?