Senators Vs. Rangers, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 4: Senators Pull Even With Rangers Entering Third Period

Ottawa Senators forward Milan Michalek and defenseman Sergei Gonchar scored second-period goals to tie the New York Rangers at two goals apiece entering the third period of Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, which the Rangers lead 2-1.

Michalek's goal started with Senators goalie Craig Anderson stopping a point-blank tip-in attempt by a crashing Marc Staal at the tail end of a Rangers power play. While Anderson attempted to cover the puck, it trickled off to his right to Jason Spezza, who hit Matt Carkner as the forward was coming out of the penalty box, setting up a 2-on-1 with Michalek against Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Michalek took the feed from Carkner and beat Henrik Lundqvist with a backhand shot over the goaltender's blocker shoulder.

With the Senators on the power play 10 minutes later, Spezza would go to the dressing room after taking a shot to the head from Staal, though no penalty was called on the play. Moments later, Gonchar's shot from the point squeezed through Lundqvist's left arm and trickled into the net for the game-tying goal with 2:10 to play in the period.

Rangers forward Anton Stralman opened the scoring just 49 seconds into the first period and 10 seconds into New York's first power play, when he beat Anderson with a wrist shot. Rangers captain Ryan Callahan also scored a power-play goal in the first period to open up a 2-0 lead.

Through 40 minutes of action, the Senators hold a 21-19 edge in the shots department, with the Rangers blocking an additional 20 shots. Ottawa also has the edge in hits (21-15) and in the face-off circle (21-17). Both teams have had five power plays. New York is 2-of-5, while the Senators are 1-of-5.

For more on this series, visit Senators blog Silver Seven and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. Stick with SB Nation NHL for more on the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup.