Still wearing his goaltender’s pads, Henrik Lundqvist leaned back in his locker, exhausted and soaked with perspiration as he replenished himself with fluids.
The moment of respite was a chance to savor yet another improbable comeback playoff victory by the Rangers.
Friday night’s 2-1 win in overtime against the Capitals had a similar finish to another Game 5 at Madison Square Garden against Washington, a 2012 game in which Brad Richards tied the score in the waning seconds and Marc Staal scored the overtime winner.
On Friday, the stars were Chris Kreider, whose goal late in the third period tied the score, and captain Ryan McDonagh, who had the winner in overtime.