Game 7 — Rangers 5, Capitals 0 — Rangers win series, 4-3

3 STARS

1. Henrik Lundqvist

The King closed out a magnificent series with back-to-back shutouts, with last night marking the eighth of his postseason career. Lundqvist turned away a flurry of first-period chances and stayed strong even as the lead ballooned, making 35 saves. He is now 3-1 in Game 7’s.

2. Ryan McDonagh

McDonagh completed a dominant defensive effort in this series, shadowing Alex Ovechkin and helping hold the NHL’s leading-goal scorer without a goal in the last six games. Though Ovechkin sent McDonagh to the dressing room after a devastating hit in the first period, the 23-year-old quickly returned and played a team-high 23:15 (despite sitting most of the third period) with three hits and three blocked shots.

3. Arron Asham

The fourth-line wing scored only two goals in the regular season, but matched that total in just seven postseason games. After the Rangers scored two goals through the previous three games in Washington, Asham’s first-period slap shot gave the team an early 1-0 lead and quieted the crowd.

KEY MOMENT

The Capitals had a chance to take an early lead, with Mike Green racing out for a partial breakaway, but the defenseman was denied by Lundqvist. The Rangers turned the save into a rush by Chris Kreider, who left a drop pass for Arron Asham, whose slap shot from above the right faceoff circle sailed over Holtby’s glove, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead with 6:41 left in the first period.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

‘I think a number of people felt down 2-0, you’re not gonna get this done, and it is a tall hill to climb, but we just went about our business … and Henrik was obviously fantastic throughout the series.’ — Rangers coach John Tortorella

Up Next l Rangers vs. Bruins

Thursday: at Boston, 7:30 p.m., NBCN

Sunday: at Boston, 3 p.m., NBC

Tuesday: at New York, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

Thursday, May 23: at New York, 7 p.m., CNBC

x-Saturday, May 25: at Boston, TBD

x-Monday, May 27: at New York, TBD

x-Wednesday, May 29: at Boston, TBD

x-if necessary