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It was a fluke, something that happens maybe once or twice a year in practice, but one unlucky tumble was all it took for the Rangers to climb back into Game 4 and, ultimately, avoid elimination by the Bruins.

With Carl Hagelin speeding up the ice and battling defenseman Johnny Boychuk in a race to the net, Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask took one little ill-fated step and went tumbling onto his seat in the crease. He watched helplessly as Hagelin’s deflected shot fluttered across the goal line at 8:39 of the second period.

It was a turning point in the game, and the Rangers never looked back.

The Rangers rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to edge the Bruins 4-3 in overtime at Madison Sqaure Garden on Thursday, sending the series to Boston for Game 5 on Saturday. The Rangers still trail the Bruins in the series 3-1.

The Rangers showed resolve, moxie and determination in avoiding a series sweep from Boston, and it was a single stroke of luck that gave the team the jolt they needed. Rask said his skate got caught in a rut and he lost his balance. "The rest," he said, "is history."

“We gained a lot of energy and confidence after that,” said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who finished the night with 37 saves. “And the game changed. It really did.”

Lundqvist called Hagelin’s marker “probably the ugliest goal I’ve ever seen,” but no one was complaining.

“That was a funny goal, but a goal’s a goal,” said center Derick Brassard, who made the saucer pass to set up the play.

It would be a lie to say the Rangers trailed 3-0 heading into Game 3 because of a few bounces the other way. In fact, they have been outplayed by a deeper, more balanced Bruins squad that asserted itself in the first three games.

But the Rangers will take what they can get at this time of year and they can salvage some pride in knowing they will not see their postseason hopes snuffed out without a fight.

“We’re still breathing,” coach John Tortorella said.

The Rangers looked inspired after cutting a 2-0 Bruins lead in half on Hagelin’s marker. With a re-energized home crowd buzzing at MSG, the Rangers dominated the next few shifts, but failed to knot the score before the second period ended.

They managed to do so early in the third, however, when Derek Stepan picked Zdeno Chara’s pocket behind the net to catch an unsuspecting Rask for a game-tying wraparound goal, 1:15 into play.

“I think Carl’s goal gave us life,” Stepan said. “I think from there something we really focused on was just winning one game. Then we are down by a goal going into the third, and the talk is just to relax and play. We’ve kind of got nothing to lose, and found a way to win a period.”

That sense of desperation was apparent before the puck even dropped, as Tortorella made the bold decision to scratch veteran center and alternate captain Brad Richards.

It was a difficult choice for the fiery coach, who has a long history with the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner with whom he won a Stanley Cup championship in Tampa in 2004. After the game he passionately defended both the player and the decision.

“He’s a hell of a hockey player who’s having a hell of a time,” he said.

Instead of using the struggling 33-year-old Richards, Tortorella deployed both Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley for a new-look fourth line that also included Derek Dorsett.

Even without one of their most well-respected leaders, the Rangers battled back to erase another third-period deficit, as Brian Boyle notched the equalizer midway though the frame. It was the Rangers' first power-play goal in 23 attempts.

The Rangers then picked up their first overtime victory of the postseason when Rick Nash connected with a streaking Chris Kreider for the game-winner 7:03 into overtime.

It was the fifth time in franchise history that the Rangers won a postseason game in overtime when facing elimination and the first time since beating the Devils in Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals on Stephane Matteau's iconic wraparound goal.

The Devils exacted some payback last season, ousting the Rangers from the playoffs in the conference finals on Adam Henrique's overtime game-winner. The Rangers refused to go out that way Thursday night.

“I didn’t think about last season at all,” said Lundqvist, who entered Game 4 with a playoff overtime record of 3-11. “I did think that it is time for us to win an overtime game. This was a big one. It was do or die.”

Chris Kreider had the New York Rangers’ season on his stick.

"It wasn’t on there for a very long time," joked Kreider, whose redirection of Rick Nash’s pass 7:03 into overtime enabled the Rangers to earn a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 4 and stave off playoff elimination Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Bruins still lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series 3-1.

But at least the Rangers are still alive.

Game 5 is Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

"You guys have been kicking my ass all around all year long about [my not] wanting to play him, and he steps up and makes a big play for us," coach John Tortorella said after Kreider notched his first goal of the playoffs.

Coming off an impressive postseason after being signed right out of Boston College in 2012, the 22-year-old "rookie" was supposed to play a pivotal role on this season’s team.

But after getting off to a sluggish start, Kreider was frequently sent down to the AHL, and Tortorella said at one point that he was "worried" about his young winger’s development.

Luckily, Kreider began picking up his play at the end of the season, and entered the playoffs on the team’s third line due to injuries to Ryane Clowe and Brian Boyle. Despite Kreider's leaving Game 3 after being struck by a high stick late in the third period, Tortorella decided to elevate Kreider to the second line with Derick Brassard and Nash.

And it was Kreider and Nash who combined for the OT winner.

The two wingers began skating up ice on a 2-on-2 breakout. Kreider dished the puck to Nash in the neutral zone and proceeded toward the net. Nash stopped on a dime at the right-wing boards and whipped a pass to Kreider, who beat Dougie Hamilton in the slot and redirected the puck over Tuukka Rask’s right shoulder, sending the sellout crowd into a frenzy.

"I tried to give it to Rick, which was something I was trying to do a lot tonight; he’s such a talented player," Kreider said. "And then I just tried to drive the net and put my stick on the ice, and he was able to find my tape. That’s what he does."

So, what’s it like scoring the game-winning goal at MSG, anyway?

"So surreal," said Kreider, who had five goals in 18 games during the 2012 postseason but had just two tallies in 23 contests this year. "Not something that can really be explained. It’s just something that has to be felt. It was awesome. Just exciting to give these guys an opportunity to play another day."

Said Derek Stepan: "He’s got a knack for doing that. Don’t forget that. He did it last year in the playoffs, too."

After the game, Kreider was peppered with questions about his up-and-down campaign.

But he didn’t feel like answering them.

"I think regardless of how people think the season went for me, I think I learned a lot," he said. "I was surrounded by unbelievable players, unbelievable coaches and staff, so I think it’s been a very positive year for me."

And, as a result of his goal, his team’s season continues.

"Like I said, there’s no quit in this room," Kreider said.

What it means: The Rangers erased a 2-0 deficit and rallied to win the game in overtime, narrowly avoiding a series sweep and keeping their playoff hopes alive in Game 4 against the Bruins at Madison Square Garden. Rick Nash connected with Chris Kreider on the rush for the game winner as the Rangers edged the Bruins 4-3 to send the series to Boston for Game 5 on Saturday.

Big goal: The MSG crowd was rocking early in the third when Derek Stepan picked the pocket of Zdeno Chara behind the net to catch an unsuspecting Rask for a quick game-tying wraparound goal at 1:15. The Rangers then whittled a 3-2 Bruins lead at the 10-minute mark with Brian Boyle’s shot from the slot for a power-play goal. It was the Rangers' first power-play goal in 23 attempts.

Seguin snaps drought: Giving the Bruins a 3-2 lead that lasted less than two minutes, Tyler Seguin notched his first goal of the season, scoring on his own rebound at 8:06 of the third.

Rookie wonder: Following up on Nathan Horton’s power-play goal -- the result of a goaltender interference penalty on Rangers forward Kris Newbury -- Boston’s Torey Krug beat Henrik Lundqvist with a one-timer for a 2-0 Bruins lead at 7:41 of the second. The rookie defenseman, who made his NHL playoff debut in Game 1, has three goals in four games for the Bruins. Krug’s goal also came on the power play.

Take a seat: The Rangers cut Boston’s two-goal lead in half with an embarrassing gaffe by Rask. Facing a rush from Carl Hagelin, Rask tumbled backwards, untouched, as Hagelin’s backhanded attempt trickled past the goal line in the second. The Rangers generated momentum from the fluke play, following up Hagelin’s goal with a couple of huge shifts, but didn't tie it up until the final frame.

Surprising scratch: In a bold move before an elimination game, coach John Tortorella scratched struggling center Brad Richards. The 33-year-old veteran, also an alternate captain for the Rangers, was recently relegated to the fourth line with which he received just 8:10 of ice time in Game 3, only 5:58 of which was even strength. Rugged winger Arron Asham was also scratched, with depth forwards Newbury and Micheal Haley replacing the two veterans in the lineup.

Depleted D: The Rangers were without top-four defenseman Anton Stralman, who suffered an injury in Game 3 after taking a hard hit from Boston’s Milan Lucic late in the second period. Veteran Roman Hamrlik took Stralman’s place, making his first appearance in almost two months.

What's next: An all-or-nothing Saturday in Boston, faceoff at 5:30 p.m. ET.

AT A GLANCE: On the brink of elimination, the Rangers will try to avoid a series sweep against the Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. A deep, balanced and physical team that has outmatched the Rangers thus far, the Bruins will try to close it out in four games to avoid another white-knuckle series like in Round 1.

SURPRISING SCRATCH: Veteran center and alternate captain Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch. The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner said coach John Tortorella called him Thursday morning to give him the news. The two won a Stanley Cup together while with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. The 33-year-old Richards, who has struggled throughout the 2013 season, was recently relegated to the fourth line with Arron Asham and Chris Kreider, playing only 8:10 in Game 3, just 5:58 of which was at even strength.

BEEN HERE BEFORE: The Bruins are still haunted by memories of 2010, when they coughed up a 3-0 series lead to the Flyers, allowing Philadelphia to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. According to Boston coach Claude Julien, the team “still lives with that,” but is playing “in the zone” now. The Bruins also let the Toronto Maple Leafs erase a 3-1 series deficit this year, forcing a stunning Game 7.

MORE CHANGES: The Richards move will not be the only lineup change for the Rangers. Asham is also expected to sit out Game 4, with rugged forwards Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley drawing into the lineup. Chris Kreider, who took a stick to the face in Game 3 and did not skate with the team in Wednesday’s optional practice, is expected to play.

DEPLETED D: The Rangers will try to send the series back to Boston without one of their top four defensemen, as Anton Stralman will miss the game with a suspected shoulder injury. Stralman was injured in Game 3 after absorbing a hard hit from the Bruins' Milan Lucic late in the second period. Veteran Roman Hamrlik, who has not played since April 1, will likely play.

IMPACT PLAYERS: Earlier in the week, Tortorella called Boston’s Brad Marchand “the best player in the series so far,” but it was the Bruins’ fourth line of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton that made the difference in Game 3. Bruins defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Torey Krug both have two goals in the series.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The New York Rangers face a daunting 3-0 series hole with the knowledge that never in franchise history has the team overcome such a deficit.

Heading into Game 4 against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, the Rangers are trying to avoid the statistics and the past, instead narrowing their focus on the most immediate need.

"Obviously, it is a tall task, but you can't look at the big picture," defenseman Ryan McDonagh said Wednesday. "You take it day by day here, trying to get yourself better, as close to 100 percent as you can going into the game, and you've gotta use the home crowd again tomorrow and try to thrive off that."

The Rangers had won nine straight at Madison Square Garden before letting a third-period lead against Boston disappear in Tuesday's 2-1 loss.

With the Bruins eager to erase the past -- a blown 3-0 series lead to Philadelphia in the 2010 playoffs plus a shaky first-round series this year against Toronto in which they allowed the Leafs to force a Game 7 -- they'll be looking to channel the confidence gained from their past four wins to complete the sweep.

The Rangers have not been swept since 2006, when the New Jersey Devils beat them in four consecutive games.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, they will likely try to avoid elimination without the help of top-four defenseman Anton Stralman, who was forced from Game 3 with a suspected shoulder injury after absorbing a thunderous hit from Boston's Milan Lucic in the second period.

Rangers coach John Tortorella, both after the game Tuesday and the team's practice Wednesday, seemed to be prepared for Stralman's absence from the lineup.

"Losing Stralsy is a big blow," Tortorella said Wednesday. "To a defense that is lacking a little depth right now, it hurts us. But, again, it just comes down to, listen, we're down 0-3, there's no sense in feeling pressure."

Stralman has quietly been a strong and steady presence on the team's back end, which is already ailing without cornerstone defenseman Marc Staal. Stralman has provided the Rangers mobility and toughness and will be missed against a deep, balanced Bruins squad.

"He's been huge in this series," McDonagh said. "He's such a mobile skater, and that's huge as a defenseman. He's able to get a step on a guy, create some space and find a passing lane to get it up to our forwards. He's been exceptional in the playoffs, and we really hope he's back."

Assuming Stralman does not play, it will be either Matt Gilroy or veteran Roman Hamrlik who joins the lineup.

Though Tortorella will lean heavily on his top pairing of McDonagh and Dan Girardi, Stralman's injury also means that either Steve Eminger or John Moore will be thrust into a top-four role, playing alongside young defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

"Players that get to play tomorrow and play more minutes than maybe they're used to? Grab ahold of it and let it happen," Tortorella advised. "I mean, crap, you lose and you're done."

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Injured forward Ryane Clowe returned to the ice for the first time since suffering an apparent head injury in Game 5 of the Rangers' first-round series against Washington.

Clowe was among the players skating during the Rangers' optional practice Wednesday, the morning after a Game 3 loss to Boston.

Clowe, acquired from the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline, has appeared in only one postseason game for the Rangers. He missed five games after sustaining what is believed to have been a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes during the last week of the regular season.

Clowe, one of the most coveted trade targets at the deadline, waived his no-trade clause to come to the Rangers because he felt "this team is built for this time of year," he said during the Washington series. Set to become a unrestricted free agent this summer, Clowe appeared to be the type of player the Rangers were interested in re-signing. That seems less likely now, with his string of injuries that have limited his time on the ice.

Carl Hagelin, who took a puck to the face in Game 3 on Tuesday, also practiced with the team as did Darroll Powe (undisclosed) and Marc Staal (eye).

Chris Kreider, who took a stick to the eye in Game 3, and defenseman Anton Stralman, who was also injured in the game after taking a monster hit from Milan Lucic, did not practice.

The New York Rangers’ blue line, already without Marc Staal, lost another top-four defenseman Tuesday night when Anton Stralman was forced from the game in the second period.

Stralman, who plays on the team’s second defensive pairing with Michael Del Zotto, was forced from the game after a hard hit from Boston’s Milan Lucic late in the second period.

Stralman did not play in the third period, which forced Rangers coach John Tortorella to lean heavily on his top pair of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi.

“He’s played so well,” Tortorella said of Stralman after the team’s 2-1 loss. “That’s a big blow to us, as far as our matches and the depth within our [defense].”

Assuming Stralman is unavailable for Game 4, either veteran Roman Hamrlik or Matt Gilroy will draw into the lineup. Neither player has made an appearance yet in the 2013 playoffs.

Limited role: Struggling center Brad Richards, recently relegated to the fourth line with his poor play, saw a paltry 8:10 of ice time, only 5:58 of which was at even strength.

Richards, who might be a prime candidate for a buyout this summer, was limited to a mere three shifts in the second period and two in the third.

The 32-year-old veteran, who inked a nine-year, $60 million deal in July of 2011, has been held to one point this postseason.

World of hurt: Stralman wasn’t the only one to get banged up during Game 3.

Carl Hagelin left the game after taking a puck to the face in the third, though he returned later in the period. Chris Kreider also required medical attention when he went down to the ice, writhing in pain, after getting a stick to the eye. Kreider also remained in the game.

Power outage: The Rangers' ineptitude on the power play continued with another futile effort Tuesday night.

After failing on both man-up opportunities in Game 3, the Rangers are now 2-for-38 -- a dreadful 5.3 percent -- in the playoffs and 0-for-10 this series.

By contrast, the Bruins have had only one power play over the past two games.

New York Rangers forward Brian Boyle sat in his stall, hunched over and frothing in frustration, but dead-set in his declaration following a pivotal 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 3.

"We’ve got more hockey to play," said Boyle, almost breathless with exasperation. "We’re not done by any means."

It was the sort of statement that comes only in the presence of a do-or-die situation, and the Rangers face that now as they trail the Bruins 3-0 in their second-round series.

After dropping the first pair of games in Boston, the Rangers returned home to Madison Square Garden, where they had recorded nine straight wins, only to see a third-period lead evaporate late in the third with Daniel Paille’s game-winner with 3:31 remaining in regulation.

It was a waste of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist’s pristine performance and a crippling reminder of how dangerous Boston can be if given extended zone time.

Now, all that separates the Bruins from completing the sweep and punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals is Game 4 on Thursday.

"It feels like we lost a big game and that sucks," said Boyle, who was livid with his own performance. "There were a lot of areas I could’ve contributed more and that’s infuriating. Biggest game of the year and it just wasn’t enough."

Boyle’s line of Taylor Pyatt and Derek Dorsett was effective in a checking role when used to neutralize Boston’s trio of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Jaromir Jagr, but the hulking center was particularly critical of his play from the dots. He finished 4-for-21 from the faceoff circle, a feeble 19 percent.

"We were in our own zone for way too long because I couldn’t win a friggin’ draw," Boyle said.

After the Rangers built a 1-0 lead in the second period on Taylor Pyatt’s deflection goal, the Bruins won the puck battles and controlled the territorial game, with extended time in the Rangers’ end.

Lundqvist was stellar throughout the game -- stopping two backhanded breakaways in the first period, snagging a blistering slapshot in the second -- but faced far too much pressure.

After escaping the second period unscathed, the Rangers surrendered the tying goal to Boston’s Johnny Boychuk -- his fourth marker of the postseason.

"We knew they were going to push," captain Ryan Callahan said. "I thought we had a pretty good third period, but we gave up a goal and we don’t get one. It’s tough."

The thought of relinquishing a two-game series lead to Toronto in Round 1 provided the Bruins with the motivation to keep grinding, and they were rewarded late in the third with Paille’s winner.

The fourth-liner swooped in from behind the net to sweep in a puck that had deflected off Lundqvist’s mask and off the crossbar.

Of course, they’ve seen a commanding 3-0 series lead disappear as well, when the Flyers completed a stunning comeback against them in 2010. Philadelphia is one of only three teams in NHL history to surmount a 3-0 series deficit during the playoffs.

"We had to live with that. We still have to live with that," Bruins coach Claude Julien said.

Julien said this team, which also let the Leafs force a Game 7 despite entering Game 5 with a 3-1 series advantage, is playing on a whole new level now.

"I didn’t think we were in the zone [against Toronto] like we are now," he said.

That was a focus heading into Game 3 for the Bruins, as Marchand detailed Tuesday morning in the hours before the puck drop.

"We try to learn from every situation," Marchand said. "We realize we let [Toronto] back in it. We didn’t have that killer instinct. We want to make sure to try and step up and do the job."

Meanwhile, the Rangers are on the brink of elimination with a depleted defense, inept power play and a whole slew of statistics stacked against them.

The Rangers are 0-10 all-time in playoff series when trailing 3-0, and, according to Elias Sports Bureau, no team has ever overcome 2-0 deficits in two consecutive best-of-seven-series in the same playoff year.

There is also the matter of pride at stake, with the Rangers desperate to avoid the "S" word.

Rangers coach John Tortorella admitted his team was in a "tough situation" but said he had confidence in how they’d response.

"I have full faith in our athletes," he said.

The Rangers are a proud bunch, and determined. According to Boyle, this series is not over, no matter how well the Bruins are playing.

"They’re a good team. They’ve got some depth," Boyle said. "We’re a good team, too. We’ll show it Thursday."

Henrik Lundqvist wore the look of a stunned man, staring blankly as he sat at his locker.

The Rangers goaltender was nothing short of sensational in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday night at the Garden. He stoned a pair of Boston Bruins breakaway chances in the first period and then used his glove to rob Gregory Campbell in the second and Tyler Seguin in the third.
But with 3:31 left, Lundqvist was the victim of an awful bounce that put the Rangers in a 3-0 series hole.

Campbell took a seemingly harmless wrist shot from the left-wing boards that shouldn’t have caused any problems. But the puck somehow deflected off the top of Lundqvist’s mask and popped up into the air.

At that point, Lundqvist had no idea where it was. The puck actually ended up bouncing on the goal line, but Daniel Paille swooped around the net and buried the rebound to give the Bruins a 2-1 victory and a stranglehold on the best-of-seven series.

Asked what he saw on the goal, Lundqvist replied, "That’s the problem, I didn’t see it. It hit me in the head and went straight up, and nobody saw it, and it just landed on his stick.

"At some point, you’re gonna need some puck luck to win games. It’s that close, and obviously you can’t see all the bounces, but from where I’m standing every game they’ve been getting the bounces on our guys, on their guys. I’m not gonna blame it all on lucky bounces, but you need it, simple as that, and today they got it again."

Lundqvist had allowed eight goals in the first two games of the series. Despite being hampered by a left shoulder injury, he made 32 saves on Tuesday night. And yet his team finds itself on the brink of playoff elimination.

"It’s really hard to swallow. It’s hard to believe," Lundqvist said. "I thought we played a pretty strong game, but we came up short again and it definitely hurts.

"We just have to regroup here. It’s not over. It’s gonna be a tough night and then you start over and you start focusing on the next one and take it one game a time. That’s all we can do, but this one really stings right now."

Coach John Tortorella was proud of the way Lundqvist played. Sure he surrendered five goals in Game 2, but the Rangers have notched just five all series -- none on the power play.

"[Henrik] was outstanding," Tortorella said. "He was under a lot of pressure and made a lot of great saves."

Added winger Rick Nash: "He’s been great every single game. He’s the backbone of this team. I can’t say enough about him."

What it means: The Bruins relinquished a two-game series lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1 and seemed determined to not let that happen again in Game 3 of their second-round set against the Rangers. Daniel Paille snapped a 1-1 tie late in the third period, sweeping in a deflected puck to give the Bruins a 2-1 win and commanding 3-0 series lead against a stunned Rangers squad that is now squarely on the brink of elimination. New York wasted a fine effort from Lundqvist, surrendering an abundance of chances to a hungry Bruins team eager to make easy work of their opponents.

Make it four: Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk tallied his fourth goal of the playoffs, and it was a big one. Capitalizing on John Moore’s turnover early in the third, Boychuk’s deep wrister beat a screened Lundqvist to tie the game 1-1 at 3:10 in the third period.

Rangers strike first: Set up by Derek Stepan’s clean faceoff win against Patrice Bergeron in the offensive zone, the Rangers got on the board 3:53 into the second period. Taylor Pyatt, screening Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, got a piece of Ryan McDonagh’s shot through traffic.

Down and out: Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman did not play after taking a hard hit from Boston's Milan Lucic late in the second period.

High-sticking hazard: The officials missed at least three high-sticking penalties during the course of Tuesday’s game, and there was plenty of evidence to prove it. Chris Kreider, Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara all were bleeding at various points throughout the game after catching sticks to the face.

Henrik stands tall: Lundqvist was stellar in preserving a scoreless tie during the first period, making clutch saves on a pair of prime scoring chances for the Bruins. Lundqvist stoned both Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin on backhanded breakaways, both of which were the result of a couple of Rangers gaffes.

Line matching: With the benefit of the last change, the Rangers deployed their checking line of Pyatt, Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett against the Bruins line of Brad Marchand, Bergeron and Jaromir Jagr. Earlier in the day, Tortorella called Marchand "the best player in the series so far." Meanwhile, Bruins coach Claude Julien did his best to get hulking defenseman Zdeno Chara on the ice against Rick Nash whenever possible.

Gretzky in the house: The loudest cheer of the game came when hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was announced and featured on the Jumbotron.

Up next: Rangers vs. Bruins, Game 4, Thursday at 7 p.m.

AT A GLANCE: After dropping the first two games of an Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins, the Rangers return home to Madison Square Garden looking to hold serve and even the series. Home ice has been good to the Rangers, with the Blueshirts posting a 16-6-2 record at MSG in the regular season and a 3-0 record in the playoffs. That seems to be a playoff trend across the league. According to the NHL, home teams are 40-18 in the 2013 playoffs, including a 10-1 record in the second round.

AGAINST THE ODDS: History is not on the Rangers' side, however. Yes, they erased a 2-0 series deficit in the first round, defeating the Capitals in seven games. But according to Elias Sports Bureau, no NHL team has overcome a 2-0 series deficit to win consecutive best-of-seven series in one playoff year.

KILLER INSTINCT: The Bruins held a two-game series lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, too, versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. Down 3-1 heading into Game 5, the Leafs rattled off two straight wins to even the series and force a Game 7. The Bruins don’t want to make the same mistake twice. “We try to learn from every situation,” said Boston’s Brad Marchand. “We realize we let [Toronto] back in it. We didn’t have that killer instinct. We want to make sure to try and step up and do the job.”

DEFENDING DAN: Rangers coach John Tortorella expects top-pair defenseman Dan Girardi to bounce back after an abysmal Game 2 in which he was on the ice for all five Bruins goals and finished the 5-2 loss with a minus-4 rating. Tortorella said he expects Girardi’s “best game” Tuesday. “I don’t have to say a word to Danny Girardi,” Tortorella said. “He’s one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He had a tough night. He knows it.”
RARE COMPLIMENT: Tortorella, who often refuses to discuss an opposing team or player, deviated from the norm in his pregame press conference Tuesday morning. Tortorella praised the play of Marchand and called him “the best player in the series so far.” The Bruins’ leading man notched the game winner in Game 1 and Boston's critical fourth goal in Game 2.

BANGED-UP BLUE LINE: Veteran defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and ex-Ranger Wade Redden both practiced with the Bruins in the team’s morning skate at MSG, though it appears unlikely that either will return to the lineup for Game 3. In the absence of Seidenberg, Redden and alternate captain Andrew Ference (who did not skate Tuesday), the Bruins have rounded out their back end with three rookies: Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug. The 22-year-old Krug has two goals and three points in his first two NHL playoff games.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The New York Rangers already have come back from one 2-0 series deficit this postseason, but if history is any indication, they won’t do it again.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no NHL team has overcome a pair of 2-0 series deficits to win consecutive best-of-seven series in a single season.

Still, Rangers coach John Tortorella feels confident his team can turn it around against the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are 11-12 all-time in Game 3s when trailing 2-0 in the series.

“I thought we played a much better game in the second game,” Tortorella said after practice Monday. “I thought we forechecked better. I’m very optimistic as far as where we’re going as a team here, so we’re looking forward to Game 3.”

In the 5-2 loss in Game 2 on Sunday, the Rangers were done in by a few breakdowns in their end, something Tortorella believes can be corrected.

“Some of the mistakes we made … were surprising, and a lot of it was off the rush, but I think these things can be fixed because I think that’s one of the strengths of our game,” Tortorella said. “And that’s why I’m encouraged. I think we’re going to be OK here. Like I said [Sunday] night, you don’t want to be down 2-0. We know the hole we’re in, but by no means is this a really bad thing. We need to win a game and get the momentum back on our side.”

In the first two games of the series, the Rangers were 0-for-8 on the power play, and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has allowed eight goals.

“You definitely don’t look back. You look ahead now,” Lundqvist said. “What happened last week or yesterday is gone, and you focus on tomorrow.”

Tortorella figures the Rangers have done this in the past, so why can’t they do it again?

“We’ve been in this situation before the last couple years, so I’m not worried about that,” Tortorella said. “I just want to correct a couple things that we need to correct, and I think we’ll be OK.”

Added Lundqvist: “You have to believe in yourself and your teammates that you can do it, but we’re not looking too far ahead.”

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist suffered a left shoulder injury late in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday, but he plans on battling through it.

Lundqvist hurt his shoulder with 4:52 remaining in the third period after making a save on Boston Bruins winger Daniel Paille.

Game 3 is Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

“Yeah, it’s under control,” Lundqvist said after practice Monday. “I landed on the ice awkwardly and hurt it a little bit. It’s under control.

“Everybody’s sore. It’s the playoffs. You can’t just sit out because it’s hurting a little bit. It happens and you just have to make sure you do the right things to make it good.”

During the first two games of the series -- both losses -- Lundqvist has allowed eight goals on 80 shots. Five of those goals came in Game 2.

“You’re never happy or satisfied giving up five goals, but you have to move on and take the good parts and try to learn something from it,” Lundqvist said.

• Carl Hagelin disagreed with coach John Tortorella’s assessment prior to Game 2 that he stinks on the power play.

“For me, I definitely don’t think I stink on the power play,” the winger said, according to the Bergen Record. “That’s the only comment I have on the PP.”

• While New York’s line combinations remained the same in practice, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi were reunited on the top defensive pairing; Girardi was on the ice for all five goals in Game 2.

The other pairings were Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman and John Moore and Steve Eminger.

Tortorella wouldn’t confirm if those pairings would stay the same in Game 3.

• Rick Nash scored his first goal of the playoffs Sunday, but said he wished he could give it back in exchange for a win.

“I think he’s played well right on through the playoffs,” Tortorella replied when asked why his star winger is seeing so much ice time. “They want (Zdeno) Chara against him, and we’re trying to get away from that at certain times. He’s gonna play a lot. He’s played very well. He scores a goal which is going to help, and we’ll go right back out there with him tomorrow.”

• Defenseman Marc Staal (right eye) and winger Darroll Powe (possible concussion) skated after practice.

BOSTON -- Rick Nash's first goal of the 2013 playoffs -- and his first as a New York Ranger -- came as little solace following the team's 5-2 loss Sunday to the Bruins in Game 2.

"We lost the game and that's pretty much the only thing on my mind," Nash said.

Nash, whose line has been matched up against Zdeno Chara through the first two games, beat the hulking Bruins defenseman before streaking to the net and scoring on goaltender Tuukka Rask to tie the game 2-2 in the second period.

Nash's goal erased a one-goal Bruins lead that was built on Gregory Campbell's backhander 56 seconds prior.

But the equalizer was rendered moot when the Bruins broke open the game in the third.

The Rangers, and Nash, had chances on the power play to get back into the game but they couldn't convert.

The unit failed to cash in on all five man-up opportunities Sunday. The Rangers are now 0-for-8 on the power play this series and 2-for-36 this playoffs.

The power play did show some promise, however, in contrast to the feeble attempts in previous games.

"Our power play was better tonight," coach John Tortorella said. "Didn't score, but it was better."

Carl Hagelin even made a brief appearance with the team's second unit. On Saturday, Tortorella said the speedy winger "stinks" on the power play because he's "too quick" and acts like a "jitterbug."

Those sort of colorful quotes are what makes Tortorella such an intriguing character at times. But NBC learned the hard way that he is not always the friendliest choice for live television.

During a first-period intermission interview with NBC's Pierre McGuire, Tortorella swore while talking about captain Ryan Callahan's goal.

BOSTON -- For the New York Rangers, this has to feel all too familiar.

After dropping the first pair of games on the road, including Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Rangers are left scrambling to surmount a 2-0 series deficit to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Rangers faced the same hole in Round 1 against the Washington Capitals after Games 1 and 2 in Washington, D.C., but this Bruins team seems to possess the killer instinct the Capitals distinctly lacked.

That much was on display when the Bruins took over the game in the third period, ripping it open with a critical goal 26 seconds into play.

“We gave it to them,” goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said.

It was the first time this playoffs that Lundqvist gave up more than three goals and the first time he has surrendered five since April 26, 2009, in Game 6 of the Rangers’ first-round series against the Capitals.

Lundqvist didn’t elaborate on the how or the why, but he wasn’t the one that should’ve shouldered the explaining.

The Rangers struggled against the rush, and gave up far too many scoring opportunities, leaving their reigning Vezina Trophy winner prone as the last line of defense against a speedy and skilled Bruins team that exploited a strong transition game.

“I think we gave them a bit too many scoring chances,” said forward Rick Nash, who notched his first goal of the playoffs in the second period. “We can’t be giving them that many chances against our goaltender.”

Despite a strong second period, the Rangers entered the third trailing 3-2 before the Bruins quickly extended their lead just 26 seconds into play.

In a play that bore an eerie resemblance to the Bruins’ overtime game-winner in Game 1, Patrice Bergeron set up Brad Marchand on the rush for a tip-in that gave the Bruins a two-goal lead.

It was the same tandem, and virtually the same play, that sealed Game 1 and left Lundqvist stewing over his decision. After that game, Lundqvist was critical of himself for focusing too much on the player with the puck and the technical mistake that resulted.

But Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi placed the blame on himself for this one. It was a rough game for Girardi, who was on the ice for all five Bruins goals.

“On that fourth goal, I’ve either got to take that pass away or the guy, so obviously some coverage [mistakes] there,” he said.

Coach John Tortorella said both the third goal -- Johnny Boychuk’s wrister that beat Lundqvist at 12:08 of the second -- and the fourth could’ve been stopped.

Tortorella praised the team’s play in the second period but wasn’t pleased with some of those breakdowns.

“The third and fourth goals are defendable. We made coverage mistakes," Tortorella said. "Our second period is where we want to be. We can’t put it in the net. We had multiple chances … to have that [fourth] goal go in, on the 2-on-2, it hurts you.”

Lundqvist, who finished with 27 saves, said the game was difficult for him.

“This game was about tracking down pucks and it was tough. A lot of late guys coming in, dragging the puck through the slot with guys in front of me,” he said. “It definitely was a tough game to play, no question.”

Tortorella defended Lundqvist when asked to assess his play.

“I’m not going to evaluate our goaltender,” he said. “We know what Henrik is.”

Marchand finished with a goal and an assist, while Bruins rookie defenseman Torey Krug tallied his second goal in as many games -- the first two of his NHL playoff career. Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask was stellar in goal for Boston, turning away 35 of 37 shots.

The Rangers had plenty of chances during the game, especially considering a slew of turnovers from the Bruins in the first half but couldn’t convert. The team’s power play also showed signs of life, but had nothing to show for it.

The Rangers were 0-for-5 on the power play, which leaves them 0-for-8 on the series and 2-for-36 in nine playoff games.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Nash said. “Especially when you’re supposed to crawl back in the game or take the lead.”

At least the Rangers can take some comfort in the fact that they have pulled themselves out of a 2-0 hole before. But, this isn’t a front-loaded Capitals team with a reputation for underachieving playoff performances. This is a confident Bruins squad that has remained largely intact since winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.

“If we’re going to win a game, and that’s all we’re looking at, we’re going to have to be better,” Tortorella said.

He’s confident that will happen.

“Listen, we don’t want to lose two games here. No one does,” Tortorella said. “But there’s no give in the team. There will be no give in this team.”