Marian Gaborik scored 14:41 into the third overtime period as the New York Rangers edged the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

New York has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 4 scheduled for Saturday.

Mike Richards gathered the puck along the end boards and slipped a pass to Gaborik, who got off a quick shot that deflected off of goaltender Braden Holtby's stick and slipped between his pads.

New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 45 shots to preserve the win in the Rangers' first triple-overtime game since 1971. The game was also the longest of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs so far.

Holtby made 47 saves in defeat for Washington.

Ryan Callahan opened the scoring on a New York power play 6:41 into the second period. Michael Del Zotto took a shot from the right point that bounced to Callahan in front of the net and he swept it in for a 1-0 lead.

John Carlson evened the score a little less than five minutes later with a wrist shot from just inside the left circle that beat Lundqvist on the blocker side.

 

Twitter: @ihavenetnews

 

 

Rangers Win 3 OT Thriller Over Caps