Rangers Hold Off Late Senators Charge, Advance To Play Capitals In Round 2

Rangers Vs. Senators, Game 7: New York Advances, Ottawa Still Happy In Defeat

An entertaining and close-as-can-be first-round series leaves both the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators excited about the direction of their respective clubs.

Rangers Vs. Senators, Game 7 Final Score: New York Advances With 2-1 Win

It seemed like the Ottawa Senators were going to score. You could feel it, I could feel it, Daniel Alfredsson could feel it, the New York Rangers could feel it. The No. 8 seed left nothing in the tank down the stretch of the third period in Game 7, but ultimately, Henrik Lundqvist and a stingy New York defense were just too much for the Sens to handle.

The Rangers held off Ottawa's late charge, winning Game 7 by a final score of 2-1. They advance to play the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Dan Girardi's second period goal turned out to be the game-winner. Girardi had a huge game for the Rangers, ranking second in ice time on the team only behind Marc Staal. He blocked three shots, including one that clearly saved a goal in the first period, took three shots of his own and delivered three hits.

Lundqvist was the difference for New York in the third period as Ottawa mounted pressure. He made nine of his 26 total saves in the final frame, many of which came in the final five minutes. Craig Anderson made 27 saves in the losing effort for the Senators.

We have full coverage of Senators vs. Rangers Game 7 in our StoryStream. For full coverage from the New York perspective, check in with SB Nation New York and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For full coverage from the Ottawa perspective, check in with Sens blog Silver Seven.

Rangers Vs. Senators, Game 7: Teams Trade Goals Midway Through Second Period; New York Leads 2-1

Erik Karlsson lost his man in coverage down low after the home team overwhelmed the Ottawa Senators on a rush, and the result was a second goal of the night from a Ranger defenseman. This time it was Dan Girardi on assists from Brandon Dubinsky and Brandon Prust, and it gave New York a 2-0 lead at the 9:04 mark of the period.

Girardi has had a busy game. In the first period, the defenseman missed a wide-open net with a shot from the point, and later in the period on an Ottawa power play, Girardi laid out to block a shot that would have been a sure-fire goal for the Sens. His goal seemed to give New York complete control, but the Sens answered immediately.

Daniel Alfredsson may very well be playing in his last game ever, and if that's the case, he'll be going out with at least a goal. On the power play just 2:20 after Girardi's goal, Henrik Lundqvist couldn't fight off a screen and an Alfredsson shot beat him on the short side. Ottawa's right back in the game, trailing 2-1.

We have full coverage of Senators vs. Rangers Game 7 in our StoryStream. For full coverage from the New York perspective, check in with SB Nation New York and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For full coverage from the Ottawa perspective, check in with Sens blog Silver Seven.

Rangers Vs. Senators, Game 7: Marc Staal Gives New York 1-0 Lead

The New York Rangers looked tired. They looked on the ropes. From the start of Brandon Dubinsky's penalty late in the first period through the first four minutes or so of the second period in Game 7, Ottawa had put up nine consecutive shots. They had registered six consecutive scoring chances, according to the NBC Sports Network broadcast.

It took just one shift of pressure for the Rangers to turn the tide. New York pressed and held the puck in despite several attempted Ottawa clears, and Ryan Callahan and Derek Stepan set up Marc Staal, who buried a puck deep behind Craig Anderson with a beautiful finish.

The momentum has shifted and Madison Square Garden is electric, but as the home team proved very quickly at the 4:46 mark of the second, it doesn't take long for things to shift back in the other direction.

We have full coverage of Senators vs. Rangers Game 7 in our StoryStream. For full coverage from the New York perspective, check in with SB Nation New York and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For full coverage from the Ottawa perspective, check in with Sens blog Silver Seven.

VIDEO: Dan Girardi Misses Wide-Open Net After Rangers Knock Down Craig Anderson

Rangers Vs. Senators Game 7 Score, NHL Playoffs 2012: Teams Even Through 1 Period

Through 20 minutes of Game 7 between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators, neither team has put a puck past the goal line. The Senators controlled play late in the period, but for the most part, the game was largely even in chances and shots on goal.

Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky took a quick trip to the locker room in the middle of the period, but returned shortly thereafter, just in time to take a holding penalty at the 16:08 mark. How nice of Jason Spezza to take a dive and allow him the two minutes of rest.

Ottawa got one solid chance on the ensuing power play off a juicy Henrik Lundqvist rebound, but Dan Girardi blocked a shot in front of an empty net to save what would have been a sure goal and a 1-0 Ottawa lead. That goal wasn't meant to be, however, and we enter the first intermission scoreless.

We have full coverage of Senators vs. Rangers Game 7 in our StoryStream. For full coverage from the New York perspective, check in with SB Nation New York and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. For full coverage from the Ottawa perspective, check in with Sens blog Silver Seven.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Rangers Vs. Senators Game 7: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

The Rangers will have to win a second-consecutive game tonight against Ottawa to avoid being the second No. 1 seed to fall in the first round.