The top-seeded New York Rangers will try to

(Sports Network) - The top-seeded New York Rangers will try to regain the lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals when they visit the Washington Capitals for tonights Game 3 battle at the Verizon Center. Darren Sproles Jersey. The Rangers opened this series by taking Saturdays Game 1 in 3-1 fashion, but the seventh-seeded Capitals responded with a 3-2 victory on Monday at Madison Square Garden to even the set at one win apiece. Capitals star winger Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal with 7:27 remaining in the third period of Game 2 and Washington held on for the victory. It was the third goal of this postseason for Ovechkin, who logged only 13 minutes, 36 seconds of ice time in the win. Braden Holtby stopped 26 New York shots on Monday after getting beat for three goals on just 14 shots in Game 1. Mike Knuble and Jason Chimera supplied first-period goals for the surprising Capitals, who beat second-seeded Boston in the opening round, eliminating last years Stanley Cup champions in seven games. Washington has yet to lose back- to-back games in this years playoffs. Washington led the game 2-0 in the first period, but the Rangers rallied and eventually tied the game on Ryan Callahans goal at 6:58 of the third period. However, New York was whistled for consecutive infractions later in the third, leading to Ovechkins game-winner. Washington failed to cash in the first power play, but Ovechkin restored the lead four seconds into a Brad Richards holding penalty. Nicklas Backstrom won a draw in the left circle and Ovechkin shifted from the point to the middle of the New York zone before snapping a long shot past the glove of New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. "Nicky (Backstrom) wins a face-off and I kind of turned and felt like I was going to have some pressure," said Ovechkin. "But when I turned I saw nobody come to me. Brouwsie (Washington forward Troy Brouwer) did a great job going to the front of the net. It was kind of a lucky shot." Lundqvist, a Hart and Vezina Trophy finalist this season, made 22 saves in the Game 2 loss. Before taking the costly holding penalty in the third, Richards scored a first-period goal for the Rangers. "You battle back as hard as we did, you cant take four minutes in penalties," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. Washington was 1-2 on home ice in the first round against Boston, but the Capitals had a solid 26-11-4 record as the host during the regular season. New York had a 24-12-5 record away from MSG this season and was 2-1 at Ottawa in this years Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, which the Rangers won in seven games. "Theyre a good team and were not expecting this to be easy at all," Lundqvist said of the Capitals. "Its going to be a challenge to go into their building and try to get a couple of wins." Rangers forward Brian Boyle returned to the lineup Monday after missing three games with a concussion. He was injured on a hit by Ottawas Chris Neil. However, New York forward Brandon Dubinsky is questionable again tonight after sitting out the first two games of this series with a lower-body injury suffered in Game 7 against the Senators. The Capitals are in the second round for the third time in four seasons, but Washington hasnt made it to the conference finals since 1998, when it earned the franchises only trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. New York, which won the Atlantic Division title this season, is the top seed in the East for the first time since it won its last Stanley Cup title in 1994. The Rangers are aiming for their first conference finals appearance since 1997. This marks the seventh playoff series between the Rangers and Capitals and Washington has taken four of those six matchups. The Capitals beat New York in the conference quarterfinals in both 2009 and 2011, winning last years series in just five games. The last time the Rangers defeated Washington was in the 1994 conference semifinals. Game 4 of this series is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Washington. Marques Colston Youth Jersey. The prize souvenir from the 1986 World Series will go on eBay this month with a US$1-million price tag, put up for auction by the Grammy-nominated songwriter who once bought it from actor Charlie Sheen. Drew Brees Elite Jersey. Arian Foster had two touchdown runs, Matt Schaub threw a TD pass to Andre Johnson, and Houston overwhelmed the rookie quarterback in the Texans 30-10 win over Miami on Sunday. http://www.nflsaintsprostore.com/morten-andersen-jerseys. Sweden was eliminated from Euro 2012 after losing to Ukraine and England in its first two group games, leading some to wonder whether the 30-year-old Ibrahimovic, who has taken breaks from international duty in the past, would return to the team when World Cup qualifying starts. Jahri Evans Womens Jersey.H. -- Brad Keselowski slipped in front when Kevin Harvick got into a traffic jam. Drew Brees Pink Jersey. How close? Maybe an inch. Mark Reynolds two-run single in the eighth inning backed a strong performance from Wei-Yin Chen and rallied the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. The Orioles had failed several times earlier in the game with runners in scoring position, but Reynolds was able to reach out and bloop a single just in front of centre fielder Denard Span to put the Orioles ahead. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As if bearing the brunt of the call that ultimately led to the end of the NFLs replacement officials wasnt enough, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers nearly had a big comeback win undone by a blunder from the regular refs. Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown to Jordy Nelson in the fourth quarter, and the Packers shook off a weeks worth of controversy with a rally to beat the New Orleans Saints 28-27 on Sunday. With Lambeau Field fans howling about what appeared to be yet another bad call -- this time by the regular officials, not the replacements -- Garrett Hartley missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with just under three minutes remaining that cost the Saints a shot at the lead. "Weve probably had to deal with more adversity than most of the teams Ive played with, especially early on weve had some interesting games already," Rodgers said. "Were four games in. So, I think the character of this team is very strong. Winning games like this says a lot about the kind of men that we have." Rodgers threw for 319 yards with four touchdowns and an interception for the Packers (2-2). "Im very proud of our football team, especially the week weve endured," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "We talk a lot about integrity and character, and I thought todays game had plenty of those types of situations where it showed up big." Drew Brees threw for 446 yards with three touchdowns for the winless Saints (0-4). "Its going to hurt when you lose a game like this," Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer said. "But I will not let them get down. We are too close." Brees now has thrown at least one touchdown in 47 straight regular-season games, tying the NFLs all-time mark set by Johnny Unitas. "Yeah, its disappointing," Brees said of the loss. "It stinks. But despite where were at, right now I think this teams going to do something." With the win, the Packers were able to put Monday nights controversial replacement official-driven loss at Seattle behind them. But even with the regular refs back this week, the Packers and their fans still nearly were dealt a crushing blow on a blown call. After Rodgers touchdown to Nelson, Darren Sproles appeared to fumble the ensuing kickoff but officials ruled that he was down by contact. Replays showed that the ball clearly came out but the Packers were out of replay challenges, leaving Packers fans screaming at the officials for the second week in a row. "You guys were all happy that the officials were back, and we tried to tell you that theyd still get booed," Nelson said with a laugh. Brees then led the Saints into field goal range, and Hartley hit a 43-yard attempt -- but the Saints were called for holding, forcing HHartley to line up a 53-yarder. Cameron Jordan Womens Jersey The Packers then were called for encroachment, leaving Hartley to try a 48-yarder and he missed it wide left. It was a sigh of relief for the Packers, who spent most of the week in the middle of a nationwide firestorm after a last-second decision by replacement officials cost them a game at Seattle on Monday night. It was a burden for the Packers to bear, but likely played a significant role in the NFL agreeing to a deal with its regular officials during the week. Referee Jeff Triplette struck a triumphant tone during the pregame coin toss Sunday, announcing that "its great to be back, gentlemen!" A handful of Packers fans came to the game dressed as officials, and some brought signs showing support for the regular refs. The honeymoon didnt last long. Fans howled for an offensive pass interference call after Brees threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston late in the first quarter, but no flag was forthcoming. With the Packers leading 21-14 in the third quarter, fans -- and McCarthy -- were on the officials again when McCarthy challenged a catch by Jimmy Graham but it wasnt overturned. A 20-yard field goal by Hartley cut the lead to 21-17 with 9:41 left in the third quarter. Rodgers responded with a drive but needed attention from the teams training staff after getting poked in the eye on a face mask by New Orleans Malcolm Jenkins. "I wanted to stay in the game -- obviously, I dont like coming out for anything," Rodgers said. "Just didnt have any depth perception immediately thereafter and so I figured we were a yard away and we could punch that thing in there. Unfortunately, didnt happen." Rodgers came out of the game for one play and backup quarterback Graham Harrell came in -- then tripped and fumbled as he tried to hand it off, allowing the Saints to get the ball. Brees then found Joseph Morgan wide open behind the defence for an 80-yard touchdown and a 24-21 lead. Rodgers then threw an interception to Patrick Robinson and the Saints drove for a 27-yard field goal by Hartley to take a 27-21 lead with 13:04 remaining. With the Packers trailing by 6, Rodgers threw an 11-yard strike to Nelson as the Saints Corey White tried to wrap his arms around the ball -- briefly re-creating a scene eerily similar to the controversial game-ender in Seattle on Monday. This time, though, Nelson clearly came away with the ball and spiked it emphatically. NOTES: Packers S M.D. Jennings, who played a key role in the controversial play at Seattle, left the game with a shoulder injury. ... Packers WR Greg Jennings caught a touchdown in the second quarter but later came out of the game. Jennings has been struggling to stay healthy with a groin injury. ' ' '