It was only fitting that a game as evenly matched as Game 3 should take three overtimes to decide.
Marian Gaborik scored the game-winner 14:41 into the final overtime period to give the Rangers the 2-1 win and a 2-1 advantage in the series.
Game 3 was for the goalies and defensive units of each team. A scoreless first period was followed by a second period in which each team netted one each.
It would stay 1-1 until the end — over three 20-minute periods later.
Lundqvist made 45?saves, while his counterpart on the other end, Braden Holtby, had 47.
Callahan opened the scoring in the second period with his fourth goal of the postseason on a power play created by a hooking call on Brooks Laich. Callahan knocked in a rebound from a Gaborik shot, which had deflected off Michael Del Zotto, to beat Holtby.
John Carlson answered less than five minutes later, beating Marc Staal and then Henrik Lundqvist with a wrister. It was his first goal of the playoffs.
Each team had chances to win before the third overtime.
Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer missed a chippy from just outside the crease in the first overtime with Lundqvist completely out of position. New York’s Brian Boyle inadvertently blocked a teammate’s shot with his rear end in the second overtime.
Gaborik finally netted the winner on a feed from behind the net by Brad Richards. All Gaborik had to do was flick it in from in close to give the Rangers an instant classic road win.
It was the first triple overtime game for the Rangers since April 29, 1971 when Pete Stemkowski scored the game-winner over the Blackhawks.
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