Just as they did in their last series, the Washington Capitals have started on the road by losing Game One, only to come back and take home-ice advantage with a big win in Game Two. On Monday night at Madison Square Garden, the Capitals squandered a 2-0 against the New York Rangers but struggling superstar Alexander Ovechkin scored the game-winner in the third to seal a 3-2 Caps win.

Ovechkin broke a 2-2 tie with 8:27 left in the game, beating Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist with a power play goal. “First I saw it, then I didn’t see it, and then I saw it,” Lundqvist said of the game-winner. “It was a hard shot, a good shot. Unfortunately someone got tied up, and he got a free lane. It’s the wrong guy to get that opportunity.”

Caps coach Dale Hunter had plenty of praise for Ovechkin who wasn’t on the ice all that much in the game but came through in the clutch. “Ovi is a team guy and he is cheering his guys on,” said Hunter. “He knows what these guys are going through at the end of the game. They’ve got to go out and slide and block shots. He appreciates that. The one thing is that he has been real fresh for the power play.”

Now the best-of-seven series heads to Washington for the next two games. Despite losing home-ice advantage, the Rangers sound confident that they can get it back. “All year we responded to losses,” said New York’s Ryan Callahan, who scored the tying goal in Game Two on a deflection. “It’s a tough place to play in Washington. We’re going to have to be ready.”