NEW YORK -- Henrik Lundqvist slammed his stick in disgust when an overtime loss in Washington put the New York Rangers on the brink of elimination. Two days later, the star goalie pumped his arm and let out an emphatic yell when his shutout kept the Rangers alive and set up a Game 7 in the nations capital. Lundqvist was the difference Sunday in stopping 27 shots for his seventh NHL playoff shutout. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner was perfect in making Derick Brassards second-period goal stand up in a 1-0 victory over the Capitals that forced a deciding game in the first-round, Eastern Conference series. "We needed it. There was desperation out there," Lundqvist said. "We showed a lot of character and worked really hard. It was that type of game where you pay the price -- big saves, physical. Great win." Despite having little room for error, the Rangers stayed composed and played a disciplined game in which they took no penalties until a big scrum after the final buzzer. Now the Rangers hope that can carry over to Game 7 on Monday night in Washington, where they have lost three times in this tight series. The home team has won all six games. "They play really well at home and theyre confident," Lundqvist said. "The games weve played in that building, special teams have played a big part. We played a really disciplined game, and thats going to be key for us because they have a really good power play, so you have to respect that. "Play hard, but play smart." The Rangers earned Game 7 wins at home in last years playoffs over Ottawa and Washington. If they pull out this victory, it would give them just their second series win after falling behind 0-2. "We are just going to have the same mentality we had coming into this game," Brassard said. "We just played our game, had fun. The guys were relaxed, and thats what we need to do (Monday)." Special teams were a factor Sunday, but only in keeping the Capitals in it because of the Rangers ineffective power play that went 0-for-5 and is 2-for-26 in the series. New York had a failed 5-on-3 advantage that lasted 44 seconds in the first period. "Some were deserved. Some werent deserved," Capitals forward Troy Brouwer said of his teams penalties. "We killed our momentum." Washington didnt get a chance to improve on its 3-for-14 output in the first five games. Two Rangers power plays in the third cut out precious time the Capitals could have had to net the tying goal. "We battled the whole way," Capitals goalie Braden Holtby said. "Disappointing, but we move along. Our (penalty-killing) is doing great, holding us in the series. Our guys kept their composure. We knew this could go seven." Brassard handed Lundqvist the lead at 9:39 of the second period, with a goal that was originally credited to struggling forward Rick Nash. Defenceman Mike Green left Washington short-handed when he took a retaliation cross-checking penalty on Derek Dorsett with 6:14 remaining. "There are a lot emotions. You can expect scrums and things like that," Dorsett said. "Youve got to play your game. You cant just go out and think youre going to scrum it up and win the game." Just after Greens penalty expired, Lundqvist denied Eric Fehrs drive with a snaring glove save. He then covered the puck in front with 48.4 seconds left, keeping Marcus Johansson at bay after the Capitals pulled Holtby for an extra attacker. Lundqvist was at his best earlier in the third when the Capitals came at him in waves. He turned aside Mike Ribeiro, who scored in overtime to win Game 5, with just over 11 minutes remaining, and stopped Fehr three minutes later on a rush up the middle. "Especially late in the game, he made some great saves," Rangers coach John Tortorella said. "Last year, and now he has another Game 7, I think that builds. The ultimate goal for Hank in his mind is to win the Stanley Cup, but you need to go through these types of situations to get there." Holtby was sharp, as well, in making 28 saves. Brassard, who has had a breakout series, scored his second goal of the playoffs when he faked a shot and then ripped a drive from the Stanley Cup logo just inside the blue line. The puck clipped the glove of Capitals defenceman Steve Oleksy and sailed through a screen set by Nash in front. The goal was originally credited to Nash, who is still looking for his first of the series. Nash was more of a presence in front, making more drives to the net in an effort to create more traffic in front of Holtby. Brassard, a pickup from Columbus in the deal that sent Marian Gaborik to the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, also had five assists in the first five games of the series. Lundqvist faced only 15 shots through two periods, but needed to be sharp to keep the Capitals off the board. He made a big pad save with under 5 minutes left in the second to keep the Rangers ahead. Despite having just a one-goal edge heading into the third, the Rangers carried the confidence that they could protect it. New York went 16-0 during the regular season when leading after two periods and has earned at least one point in those situations since Feb. 4, 2010. NOTES: Rangers LW Chris Kreider, who hadnt played since the opening game of the series, replaced injured LW Ryane Clowe. ... Holtby has allowed just 11 goals in the series -- only two at home. Sam Mills Youth Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Jordan Scarlett Jersey . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. http://www.thepanthersofficialstore.com/authentic-christian-miller-panthers-jersey/ .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Sam Mills Jersey . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Curtis Samuel Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The chance to compete at the Olympics cant come soon enough for Martin Kaymer.While the top four players in the world and 21 men overall will not be part of the Rio Games, the 31-year-old German has been thinking about it all summer.Calling out Michael Phelps and fellow German Dirk Nowitzki and as some of the best Olympians he wants to see and meet, Kaymer sounds as though hes looking forward to going to Rio as much as his ongoing run at the PGA Championship.Rio isnt so much as distraction, rather a motivation.It is so, so, inspiring, and I really look forward to go, experience that, and I dont know how I will feel, Kaymer said. Im sure its going to take a couple weeks after that to reflect on all your experiences.Going to Rio has inspired Kaymers latest hot streak. He shot a 4-under 66 in the opening round on Thursday and followed with a 69 in the second round to reach 5 under.The two-time major champion, birdied three of his last four holes Friday.I think I placed myself in a very good spot, Kaymer said. Who knows where the leader is going to be by the end of the day. I shot a good score yesterday, a very good round today. So its a good position to be in in a major championship.After his opening round on Thursday, Kaymer said he is looking forward to seeing the best athletes in their sports at the Olympics -- and not only the Germans.I watched Lionel Messi a couple times when Barcelona played against Bayern Munich and I went to the stadium, just to see the class, the natural talent of an athlete, is amazing, Kaymer said. You know, you can work as hard as you want but you are never going to get there.Kaymer said especially Phelps has an invitation to come watch him play at Rio.He can walk inside the ropes, Im sure, he said. That is just so great to watch them and just -- sometimes its funny how good the athletes are. Because you compare yourself, how bad you are, because obviouslly you tried the sport, and I look forward to that.dddddddddddd.Kaymer went into this week at No. 51 in the world ranking, having not won since 2014.Interestingly enough, its in the even-numbered years when Kaymer has played some of his best golf and 2016 is starting to look up after two promising rounds at Baltusrol.Im more the kind of player who has some really nice highs in my career, and then I have some time to enjoy it again, Kaymer said. Then all of a sudden, you know, you create a little bit more inspiration from something, and then you play better again.In his first appearance of 2008, Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and then added a win in his homeland at the BMW International Open.In 2010, Kaymer won his first major -- the PGA Championship -- after he won a three-hole playoff over Bubba Watson.One of Europes heroes in 2012, Kaymer made a 6-foot putt on the last hole at the Ryder Cup to defeat Steve Stricker and secure the last point needed to achieve a stunning comeback and retain the Ryder Cup.In 2014, Kaymer dominated at Pinehurst No. 2 for an eight-shot victory in the U.S. Open, one month after winning The Players Championship against the strongest and deepest field in golf. Kaymer joined Tiger Woods as the only players to win a U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Players Championship and WGC event before their 30th birthday.I think in general, you grow, not only as a golf player but as a person, as well, and through that success, through the two major wins that I had, I think you grow a lot more, Kaymer said. You take things a little bit more -- you value them a little bit more, and therefore, somehow it calms me down.After struggling in the first part of the 2016 season, Kaymer is headed into the weekend rounds at the PGA Championship back on the upswing. ' ' '