NHL Playoff Capsules

WASHINGTON - Marian Gaborik scored at 14:41 of the third overtime, and the New York Rangers outlasted the Washington Capitals in a 2-1 victory early Thursday morning to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Brad Richards was near the backboards before sending a pass in front to Gaborik, who ended the marathon by sliding the puck between the pads of rookie goaltender Braden Holtby.

It was Gaborik's first goal since New York's first playoff game against Ottawa, snapping an eight-game drought.

Henrik Lundqvist had 45 saves for New York. Holtby stopped 47 shots for the Capitals.

Ryan Callahan gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal 6:41 into the second period. John Carlson tied it for the Capitals 4:29 later.

The game started at 7:40 p.m. and stretched into the next day, ending at 12:14 a.m. Thursday. There will be a two-day break before the teams meet for Game 4 on Saturday in Washington.

PREDATORS 2, COYOTES 0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Pekka Rinne made 32 saves as he returned to his dominating form, Mike Fisher scored his first goal of these playoffs, and Nashville found its rhythm with a shutout win over Phoenix on Wednesday night in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series.

After giving up nine goals on the road as the Predators fell behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven matchup, Rinne—a Vezina Trophy finalist—was rarely challenged by the lacklustre Coyotes. He helped the Predators overcome the suspensions of forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, who were punished for violating unspecified team rules.

Phoenix still leads 2-1 in the series that will continue with Game 4 in Music City on Friday.

David Legwand and Fisher capitalized on mistakes and scored 66 seconds apart midway through the first period.

Phoenix had its team-record streak of three consecutive road playoff wins and a run of three straight wins in Nashville overall snapped. The Coyotes had given up just four goals on the road in the playoffs before Wednesday.