Second period goals by Marian Gaborik and Brian Boyle gave the New York Rangers a 3-0 lead over the Ottawa Senators entering the third period of Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
Rangers Vs. Senators, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Rangers Take 3-0 Lead Into Third Period
After a failed clearing attempt by the Senators, Gaborik picked up the loose puck and used a head fake on Senators goalie Craig Anderson, slipping the puck through the five hole to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead with 3:36 remaining. For Gaborik, who scored 41 goals in the regular season, it was the 14th goal of his playoff career.
The goal also gave the Rangers an extra jolt late in the second period, with captain Ryan Callahan and defenseman Ryan McDonagh nearly combining on another goal just 30 seconds later. That flurry resulted in a tripping penalty on Senators defenseman Filip Kuba, which Ottawa had successfully killed, though Boyle would beat Anderson with a snap shot with 57 seconds remaining in the period.
Callahan opened the scoring 12:01 into the first period, corralling a rebound off a shot from the point, sliding the puck just between the goalpost and the left skate of Anderson. Anton Stralman and Artem Anisimov received assists on Callahan’s goal, with Anisimov and Dan Girardi assisting on Boyle’s tally.
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