The Washington Capitals have taken a commanding 2-0 lead over the New York Rangers in the opening round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and an overtime goal from Mike Green was a huge factor in staking them to that lead. Green now has a point in each of the two games in the series and continues to build on a successful regular season.
Green scored 12 goals and added 14 assists for the Capitals during the regular season, a bounce-back year of sorts after managing just three goals and seven points in an injury-shortened 2011-12 season (32 games). With their star power up front playing great hockey, getting big goals from Green is an added bonus for a Capitals team that is suddenly on an incredible roll. The goal was the first playoff overtime winner of Green’s career, and the eighth overtime goal of his career. Long regarded for his shooting ability, Green also showed tremendous poise in the extra frame on Saturday afternoon. Of the 38 shots the Capitals fired at Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, his was the first to find the back of the net and proved to be just what the Capitals needed before the series heads to New York.
Including the end of the regular season, Green now has 13 points in his last 10 games. With the Capitals already seeing Alex Ovechkin play some of the best hockey of his career, the addition of Green’s scoring only pushes the team over the edge. Green logs a lot of minutes for the Capitals, and the Rangers now need to be aware of where he is at all times and respect his shot. Game three of the series is Monday at Madison Square Garden.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
