New York, NY

The New York Rangers continue to get a boost from rookie Chris Kreider in the playoffs.

Kreider scored the game winner seven minutes into the third period to lead New York to a 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game One of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Kreider took a pass from Derek Stepan and got open down the left wing before firing a low slapshot past the Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby.

It was the second goal in three games for the 21-year-old, who just joined the club for the start of its first-round series against Ottawa.

Brad Richards extended the lead 90 seconds later, gathering the puck along the boards and skating in uncontested and slapping it between Holtby's pads.

Following a scoreless first period, New York broke the ice at 12:38 of the second. Artem Anisimov rushed into the play off the Rangers bench and got a wraparound past Holtby.

Washington drew even with 3.5 seconds remaining in the session, as Jason Chimera broke toward the goal and redirected a Brooks Laich pass between the pads of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist made 17 saves to preserve the win, while Holtby stopped 11 shots. Neither team had more than six shots in any period, and only five players registered more than one shot on goal.

2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals - Matchups

#1 Rangers vs. #7 Capitols

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