* The Rangers also improved to 6-0 in their last six Game 7s (dating to the 2012 CQF vs. OTT). Their six consecutive wins in Game 7s are tied for the longest such streak in NHL history, with the Red Wings (1949-64) and Bruins (1983-94).

* The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to successfully overcome a 3-1 series deficit in consecutive playoff seasons. They accomplished that feat for the first time exactly one year earlier, defeating the Penguins 2-1 in the seventh game at PIT.

* The Rangers improved to 14-3 in their last 17 games when facing elimination (dating to Game 6 of the 2012 CQF at OTT). They have won eight of their last nine such games over the past two years. Per Elias, that is one shy of the NHL record for most victories when facing elimination over consecutive playoff seasons, set by the Islanders from 1975-76 (9).

* The Rangers also improved to 10-0 in their last 10 games when facing elimination at home (dating to Game 4 of the 2008 CSF vs. PIT). Their 10-game winning streak in that scenario is the longest in NHL history.

* The Rangers improved to 40-48 in 88 all-time playoff overtime games, including a 19-19 record at home. They are 4-0 in overtime contests this postseason (3-0 at home), a franchise record for overtime wins in one playoff year.

* The Rangers also improved to 2-2 in four all-time Game 7s that have required overtime, including a 2-0 record at home. Their lone other game at Madison Square Garden was on May 27, 1994 vs. NJD, when Stephane Matteau scored at 4:24 of double-overtime to lift the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final.

* All 12 games the Rangers have contested this postseason have been decided by one goal. They have played 14 straight such games dating to last year (since Game 4 of the F vs. LAK), the longest such streak in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

* Via Elias, the Rangers and Capitals contested the second seven-game series in Stanley Cup Playoffs history in which each game was decided by one goal. The other also featured Washington: the 2012 CQF vs. BOS, in which Joel Ward scored at 2:57 of overtime in Game 7 to lift the No. 7 Capitals over the No. 2 Bruins.

* Stepan recorded his third career game-winning goal in the playoffs and first in overtime (73 GP). His other two such goals also came vs. WSH, both in the 2013 CQF (Games 3 and 4).

* Elias says that Stepan (Hastings, Minn.) became the seventh U.S.-born player to score an overtime goal in a Game 7. The others: Red Wings forward Pete Babando(Braeburn, Pa.; 1950 F vs. NYR), Islanders forward Pat LaFontaine (St. Louis, Mo.; 1987 DSF at WSH), Flames forward Joel Otto (Elk River, Minn.; 1989 DSF vs. VAN), Sabres forward Derek Plante (Cloquet, Minn.; 1997 CQF vs. OTT), Oilers forwardTodd Marchant (Buffalo, N.Y.; 1997 CQF at DAL) and Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (Rochester Hills, Mich.; 2014 CF at CHI).

* Kevin Hayes, who had not scored since Game 4 of the First Round at PIT (in OT), registered the tying goal midway through the second period. Per Elias, he became the second rookie in Rangers history to notch a goal in a Game 7. The other: Muzz Patrickin the 1939 Semifinals at BOS (2-1 L in 3OT).

* Seven Rangers players maintained their unblemished records in Game 7s: Carl Hagelin, Ryan McDonagh and Stepan (6-0); Chris Kreider (5-0); Derick Brassardand Rick Nash (4-0); and Kevin Klein (3-0).

* The Rangers will face the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. The teams have never met in the playoffs; Tampa Bay won the regular-season series 3-0-0 (NYR: 0-3-0).

* ICYMI: Click here to watch the Rangers go through the handshake line and award the team’s Broadway Hat following the victory.

HENRIK LUNDQVIST: INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves, including 14 in the third period/overtime, to improve to 6-1 in seven career Game 7s (0.97 GAA, .966 SV%, 1 SO).

* Lundqvist’s six career Game 7 wins are tied for the most by any goaltender in NHL history, with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy.

* Lundqvist earned his sixth consecutive Game 7 victory (dating to the 2012 CQF vs. OTT), extending his NHL record for a goaltender. He has a 0.81 goals-against average, .973 save percentage and one shutout in that span.

* Lundqvist has allowed one or fewer goals in each of his last six Game 7s, also an NHL record.

* Lundqvist’s 0.97 career goals-against average in Game 7s is the lowest in NHL history (minimum 3 GP), just ahead of Johnny Bower and Dwayne Roloson (both at 1.00 GAA).

* Lundqvist improved to 14-3 in the last 17 games in which the Rangers have faced elimination (1.39 GAA, .956 SV%, 2 SO).

* Lundqvist also improved to 10-0 in the last 10 games in which the Rangers have faced elimination at home (0.96 GAA, .968 SV%, 2 SO).

LUCKY 13
The Rangers contested a Game 7 on May 13 for the third consecutive year – and won for the third time (led by 35 saves from Henrik Lundqvist in each game):

May 13, 2013
NYR 5 at WSH 0
Henrik Lundqvist: 35 SV
Arron Asham: GWG (13:19 of 1st)

May 13, 2014
NYR 2 at PIT 1
Henrik Lundqvist: 35 SV
Brad Richards: GWG (7:56 of 2nd)

May 13, 2015
WSH 1 at NYR 2 (OT)
Henrik Lundqvist: 35 SV
Derek Stepan: GWG (11:24 of OT)

GAME 7 TRENDS
* The Rangers and Capitals played the 40th Game 7 in NHL history that required overtime (40/159, 25.2%). Home clubs evened those contests at 20-20 (.500).

* Overall, home teams improved to 94-65 (.591) all-time in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 3-0 record this year.

* The club that scores first fell to 117-42 (.736) all-time in Game 7s, including a 2-1 clip this year.

* The Rangers and Capitals faced off in their third consecutive Game 7 and fourth in nine all-time playoff meetings. New York has won each of the last three such contests (also 2012 CSF and 2013 CQF).

DOESN’T GET MUCH CLOSER
The Rangers and Capitals finished their fourth playoff series in the past five years (NYR: 3-1), including the third that went to a Game 7:

Total Games: 26
Wins by Team: NYR – 13, WSH – 13
Total Goals: 102
Goals by Team: NYR – 52, WSH – 50
One-Goal Games: 21 (80.8%)

A closer look at their meeting in the 2015 Second Round:

Total Games: 7
Wins by Team: NYR – 4, WSH – 3
Total Goals: 25
Goals by Team: NYR –13, WSH – 12
One-Goal Games: 7 (100.0%)

2015 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS BRACKET CHALLENGE
Among the more than 800,000 entries for the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge powered by Samsung, 71.8% picked the Rangers to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

At the conclusion of the Second Round, only 3,102 brackets (0.38%) have correctly selected the winner of all 12 series that have been completed thus far in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE FINALS SCHEDULE

The matchups for the 2015 Conference Finals have been set:

Eastern Conference
(M1) NY Rangers vs. (A2) Tampa Bay

Western Conference
(P1) Anaheim vs. (C3) Chicago

Click here for the dates, times and national broadcast information for the Conference Finals.

A QUICK LOOK BACK
Of the 22 games contested in the Second Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

* Fifteen (68.2%) were decided by one goal, including all seven played by the Rangers and Capitals;

* Seven (31.8%) saw the winning team overcome a deficit at any point in the contest, including the Rangers in their Game 7 victory; and

* Five (22.7%) required overtime, including one that went to multiple extra periods.

Of the 69 total games contested thus far in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

* Forty-four (63.8%) have been tied or within one goal entering the final five minutes of regulation, including all three Game 7s;

* Twenty-seven (39.1%) have seen the winning team overcome a deficit at any point in the contest, including five in which the victorious club overcame a multi-goal deficit; and

* Fifteen (21.7%) have required overtime, including three that have gone to multiple extra periods.

LOOSE PUCKS
Via Elias, the Rangers overcame a deficit (of any margin) to win a Game 7 for the first time in franchise history . . . The Capitals fell to 4-10 in 14 all-time Game 7s, including a 1-3 record on the road . . . The Capitals played a Game 7 for the fifth consecutive series and for the ninth time in their last 11 series since 2008. Their nine such games are tied for the most in the NHL in that span (w/ BOS) . . . Capitals captain Alex Ovechkinscored the team’s lone goal, his fifth of the playoffs (5-4—9 in 14 GP). He has 3-3—6 in nine career Game 7s (3-6) . . . Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made 37 saves, including a breakaway stop on Rick Nash. He allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his 13 appearances this postseason (1.71 GAA, .944 SV%, 1 SO) . . . Rangers forwardMartin St. Louis played in his 100th career playoff game . . . Rangers head coachAlain Vigneault improved to 5-1 in six career Game 7s . . . ICYMI: Click here to watch Rangers fans celebrate their Game 7 victory . . . The Empire State Building lit up in red, white and blue following the Rangers’ win.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.