It wasn't quite the Anaheim Ducks comeback -- or Edmonton Oilers collapse, if you prefer -- from Friday night.

But Saturday's Game 5 between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers had plenty of thrills, scares and conference-final implications.

Pressed to up their tempo and avoid sliding into a 3-2 hole against a Rangers offense finally in a groove, the Sens got a double dose of last-minute heroics Saturday thanks to a tying third-period goal from Derrick Brassard and a game-winning shot by Kyle Turris 6:28 into overtime.

The Eastern Conference series was not without its nail-biting moments, like the Rangers' Jimmy Vesey goal in the third that put New York up 4-3 or the negated OT goal by N.Y.'s Michael Grabner, which would have sealed a third straight Ottawa loss if not for a high-sticking call.

But it was, plain and simple, a huge step forward for the Senators. Yes, winning any playoff game is big, especially one to take a series lead. But considering the Rangers' dominance in back-to-back games entering Saturday, Ottawa deserves a whole lot of credit for coming to play -- and making the plays in the clutch -- against a team their offense would normally struggle to top.

Brassard's goal and the traffic in front of Henrik Lundqvist that preceded it combine to perfectly symbolize a scrappy, albeit promising, night for the Senators, who are in position to return to the finals for the first time in a decade thanks to a performance reminiscent of their Game 2 victory:

Capitals avoid elimination

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin scored 27 seconds apart in the third period as the Washington Capitals avoided elimination by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in Game 5.

Nicklas Backstrom tied the score early in the third as the Capitals finally solved Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed four goals on 32 shots. Washington's comeback spoiled the return of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby after a one-game absence due to a concussion.

Crosby had an assist and Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel also scored for the Penguins, who lead the second-round series 3-2 with Game 6 back in Pittsburgh on Monday night.

While Fleury struggled for the first time against the Capitals, Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby had his best game of the series, stopping 20 shots. Andre Burakovsky also scored for Washington.