WASHINGTON — Braden Holtby lay stretched on his stomach in the crease and stayed there for a moment, looking back over his shoulder, as Chris Kreider let out a tribal scream and embraced his teammates Sunday night. This was unusual, the Rangers beating Holtby with such ease, and he needed time to process what had happened.
Holtby had been having one of the best postseasons ever for an N.H.L. goalie. And in about three seconds, the Rangers had won a face-off and blitzed him for their second goal in the first period. In Game 6 of this second-round series between the Rangers and the Washington Capitals, this was one of the few moments when anyone had time to reflect.