Only one Capital registered two goals. Rover Mike Green scored a pair, including an OT winner in Game 2 that put his team in the driver’s seat. But a resilient Rangers club rallied back by winning the next two games at MSG by identical 4-3 scores. Each had plenty of suspense up till the final buzzer with Henrik Lundqvist never giving in. Even Riberio’s rebound of a Karl Alzner shot didn’t put them away.

Instead, the Blueshirts fought back harder. Lundqvist was perfect stopping the last 62 shots to post back-to-back shutouts. King Henrik made the clutch saves and teammates chipped in with disciplined play. They only gave Washington two power plays with each coming in tonight’s clincher. They remained poised by paying attention to every detail, which would’ve made former coach Tom Renney proud. It wasn’t just Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan and  Brian Boyle stepping up defensively by sacrificing their bodies. Everyone bought in.

All in a night’s work, the Rangers blocked 27 shots and delivered 41 hits. Every skater got the road white, red and blue jersey dirty. Rick Nash was brought in to score goals. He may not have gotten one in his first series as a Blueshirt but set up their third goal and blocked four shots. When a star player who’s been under media scrutiny buys what Tortorella is selling, it’s all you need to know about the team. A look at Mats Zuccarello and the kind of complete player he has become since returning is part of that transformation. Zuccarello scored a goal and had four assists while never shying away from any of the Caps’ big boys.

Chris Kreider played a role in the big win. Last year’s rookie hero played on the fourth line and made a great back pass that allowed Arron Asham to step into one for the Rangers’ first goal. In less than eight minutes, Kreider took the body finishing with five hits and plus-one in 12 shifts. The challenging style hasn’t fazed newcomers Derick Brassard, John Moore and Derek Dorsett, who each came over at the deadline from Columbus for Marian Gaborik. There was Brassard leading the charge again with his two assists adding to a team best nine points (2-7-9) including the only goal the Rangers would need to win Game 6. The development of Moore has allowed Tortorella to trust more of his defense, which could prove pivotal as they move forward. For now, that’s without Marc Staal. Dorsett has fit right in since returning playing the rugged game that made him a solid addition.

A Ranger disadvantage much of the season has become a solution. Suddenly, they possess more depth than first thought with Tortorella able to plug Dorsett and Taylor Pyatt on a checking line with Boyle. Brassard’s offense allowed him to use Brad Richards on the fourth line with Asham and Kreider. They’re still without Ryane Clowe and Darroll Powe with their status uncertain for the second round against Boston. For now, he’ll go with what got them here, including Steve Eminger’s best night as a Ranger. The vet defenseman, who was benched earlier in the series, tallied a pair of assists while making a key block that led to Zuccarello’s goal. It was also his shot which Dorsett got a piece of that Pyatt deposited for a crucial two-goal lead that instilled more confidence. To think that the same player barely saw the ice a couple of games ago wound up getting over 17 minutes, rewarding the coaching staff in 25 shifts.

When it was all over, the Rangers celebrated the comeback by mobbing the focal point Lundqvist. He stood tall, allowing them to play the way they had to in knocking off a higher seed. It’ll be the same mantra against another quality opponent. It doesn’t get any easier. The fun is just starting.