The New York Rangers visit the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center for Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals match-up starting at 8:00 p.m. The series is tied 3-3. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: ESPN Radio (98.7 FM), XM 212

Live Stream (Don't click on ads in stream, may download virus):
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/186516/1/watch-washington-capitals-vs-new-york-rangers.html

Probable Lines:
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello
Pyatt-Boyle-Dorsett
Asham-Richards-Kreider

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Stralman
Eminger-Moore

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 3-3, 1.92 gaa, .937 sv%, 1 so.

Braden Holtby - 3-3, 1.77 gaa, .938 sv%, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- Mathieu Perreault (1g, 3a), Mike Green (2g, 2a) and Joel Ward (1g, 3a) lead the Capitals in points with four.

Though nothing is official, all signals point towards the Rangers extending forward Mats Zuccarello, his agent, Erik Ryman, told Norwegian news source VG Nett.

The two sides have not gone into the very specifics of a contract, but the Rangers have told Zuccarello's camp that they want to extend him. Ryman states that other NHL teams or the KHL are still options for Zuccarello, but that his clear and foremost priority is to stay with the Rangers. By reading between the lines, we can infer that only a dramatic lowball offer from Sather and Gorton will prevent Zuccarello from returning. 

On the two-year anniversay of his passing, the family of the late Derek Boogaard have filed a wrongful-death suit against the NHL. In the complaint, the family argues the NHL is responsible for the physical trauma and brain damage Boogaard suffered during his six NHL seasons and his addiction to pain killers.

Williams Gibbs, attorney for the Boogaard family, has this to say when questioned about the lawsuit (via New York Times)

“...you take a young man, you subject him to trauma, you give him pills for that trauma, he becomes addicted to those pills, you promise to treat him for that addiction, and you fail.”

Pat Leonard at the Daily News reports that tonight's line-up will remain the same, as Marc Staal (eye), Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) and Darroll Powe (concussion) are out tonight.

Leonard adds that neither Clowe nor Powe traveled with the team to Washington.

...never like to hear that two guys with possible concussions weren't able to fly. Usually means that the symptoms are quite severe.

...it's a shame that the Rangers weren't able to play this series at full strength. I truly feel they would have already won if they were. Got to give the players credit for stepping up in the face of adversity and giving themselves a chance to advance in a Game 7 while severely short-handed.

Also of note from practice, Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record says that Stu Bickel and J.T. Miller are no longer skating with the Rangers' practice squad as they've been sent home to rest wrist injuries.

For the third time in their last four playoff series (fourth in last six), the Rangers will be playing in a Game 7 after surviving a furious final minute in Game 6 last night to force the deciding game.

This will also be the third time the Rangers will play a Game 7 against the Capitals in the last five years (second straight postseason) and the second year in a row they'll play a seven game series in the quarterfinal round.

From same: "Capitals & Rangers are first NHL teams to play Game 7 in back-to-back years since Colorado and Los Angeles did so in 2001-02."

— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) May 13, 2013

Here's how they fared in the quarterfinal Game 7 against the Senators last year...

Also here's what happened during Game 7 against the Capitals in the semifinal round last year...

Fans always wonder if the players actually hear what they're shouting in the stands. Well according to Derrick Brassard, they do.

In this fan taken video of Brassard's goal last night, you can distinctly hear the crowd yelling shoot seconds before he releases the shot...

You have to assume Brassard was going to shoot and that was just a coincidence, right? Maybe not as Brassard said this about the fans' encouragement after the game (via Newsday)...

"The crowd was chanting 'shoot the puck.' I was going to [pass it] back to John, but I decided to shoot . . . You never know. You put the puck on net and good things happen."

...got to admit, I'm shocked to hear this. The Garden crowd is notorious for yelling "SHOOT!!!!" during the game, even if the Rangers have the puck behind the net, so I find it fascinating that Brassard actually was influenced by the chant.

...the MSG crowd has been credited for inspiring the Rangers to victory through their energy and passion, but this is the first time I can remember them having a direct impact on a player's actions. Amazing.

...and how about this Brassard guy? I think he's a keeper. Not sure where the Rangers would be without him. Actually, I do know, on the golf course.

Here's Brassard after the game...

Seriously, is there anything Henrik Lundqvist can't do? This guy has single handedly kept the Rangers in this series. The Blueshirts have scored just 11 goals in the first six games. 11! And because of the Swedish netminders heroics there will be a Game 7.

Here's some of his handy work from the closing minutes of Game 6 including his final second pad save on John Carlson...

Here's John Tortorella on his goaltender (via NHL.com)...

"The ultimate goal for Hank, in his mind, is to win the Stanley Cup. But you need to go through these types of situations to get there obviously. So I thought he stood in there last year for us and he certainly came up big [Sunday]."

The Capitals Karl Azner added...

It looks like former Rangers head coach and current TV analyst "Iron" Mike Keenan is on the move. According to his Twitter account...

Just signed contract with Magnitogorsk of KHL. Looking forward to new coaching opportunity!

— Mike Keenan(@CoachIronMike) May 13, 2013

Keenan's last coaching gig was with the Calgary Flames back in 2009 before taking a role with MSG to be part of the Rangers' broadcast team. He's fifth all time in the NHL in wins for a head coach and will take his winning pedigree to Russia.

Interesting note about Keenan coached teams: they never missed the playoffs until the 1997-98 season with the Vancouver Canucks.

- Good for Keenan who never seemed to lose his desire to coach. I wish him nothing but luck!

- Hope Magnitogorsk is ready for lots of goalie changes. 

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I'm always going to feel confident about the Rangers winning no matter what, but after seeing the Capitals more concerned about a phantom slew foot than getting ready for a Game 7, I'm feeling better than ever.

Washington's Mike Green took an embarrassingly undisciplined penalty in the third period when he cross checked Derek Dorsett in the mouth after he thought the Rangers agitator kicked out his skates from behind. Unfortunately for Green and the Capitals, the referee saw what everyone else did—Dorsett lost his balance and both his legs kicked up as the players crashed into the boards...

Apparently, the Capitals players didn't see the above video, especially at the 1:22 mark showing there was absolutely no attempt at a slew foot before making these statements...

Braden Holtby (via Washington Post)...

The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0. For a box score, click here.

Breathe.... being a Ranger fan should come with free ventilators.

Brassard continues to be the Rangers best player on the ice not named Henrik Lundqvist. Not only is he living up to his high draft status, but is also making Sather and his infamous trades look pretty good as well. 2-5-7 this series.

On the flip side of the coin, Nash (1 shot) continues to struggle. His wrist has to be hurting as he continues to favor his backhand when the puck manages to find his stick. Can't think of another valid reason for his absence from the scoresheet.