End of the road for Capitals, defeated in Game 7 of Eastern Conference finals

Just after pulling out a 2-1 win at home in Game 6, the Washington Capitals fell short in Game 7 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, in another 2-1 decision in a series in which six of the seven games were determined by one goal.

Brad Richards, of the New York Rangers, gave his team a 1-0 lead just 1:28 in the game, and Michael Del Zotto doubled the team’s advantage in the third period. Capitals’ forward Mike Knuble said, “You go back to Game 5, the last 30 seconds. That was just a huge moment and a huge swing of things. We were able to go home and battle back. Tonight they got the first shot of the game, and it goes in the net. We got the first shot and it went in in Game 6. It’s a couple of moments like that you put the finger on as to how the series played out.” The Capitals could be heard slamming their sticks against the wall as they headed off the ice and down the hallway to their dressing room. “We tried to do our best,” Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin said. “It’s terrible for me right now, but all I can say is we do have the best team _ part of the best team I’ve been on. The group of guys, the atmosphere, it’s unbelievable to play.” The Rangers will play the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division on Monday in New York.