NHL PLAYOFFS : Rangers’ Train Derailed by Capitals

Seldom souls of moderation, New York’s tabloids had found the Rangers provided the fodder headlines are made of.

“Invincible!” “Juggernaut!” “Dominance!” have trumpeted a sweep through seven games of their first two NHL Eastern Conference playoff series.

How about “Whoa!” for Game No. 8?

Washington failed to get a shot on goal in the final period but still ruined the Rangers’ bid for a second consecutive playoff sweep Saturday night in Landover, Md. The Capitals got two goals from Todd Krygier in a 4-2 victory that cut New York’s series lead to 3-1 with Game 5 on Monday in Madison Square Garden.

It was an exercise in humility.

“We let things slip away. They turned it around in this one,” New York defenseman Brian Leetch said.

“Winning seven in a row doesn’t mean much now,” captain Mark Messier said. “We’ve got to play a little smarter and a little better.”

Sylvain Cote had three assists for Washington.

“There’s a lot of pride for us to beat them, but just to beat them one game isn’t what we’re here for,” said Washington goalie Don Beaupre, who stopped 25 shots.

It was the only time in franchise history the Capitals have gone an entire period without a shot, but by then they were well on the way to accomplishing a much more significant first: a victory in May.

They had lost eight previous May games.

New Jersey 5, Boston 4--Stephane Richer scored on a breakaway 14:19 into overtime to give the Devils a victory at Boston and tie their Eastern Conference playoff series, 2-2.

Richer took a loose puck near the Boston blue line and came in alone on Bruin goalie Jon Casey. He faked Casey to the ice and then gently slid the puck into the open net for his second goal of the game.