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Counting Down The Best Game 7s In Rangers History

By Daniel Friedman
» More Columns

In honor of the Rangers' dramatic Game 7 overtime victory on Wednesday night, here are the seven best Game 7s in franchise history:

7. Rangers vs. Devils, Patrick Division semifinals (1992)

Adam Graves and Mark Messier score a pair of goals each, while Graves picks up four points. The Rangers cruise to an 8-4 victory over rival New Jersey to advance to the next round.

6. Rangers vs. Capitals, Eastern Conference semifinals (2012)

Washington Capitals v New York Rangers - Game Seven
Goalie Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers celebrates after they won 2-1 against the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2012. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Despite a big push from the Caps in the second period, Henrik Lundqvist stands his ground and keeps the Blueshirts ahead. Michael Del Zotto's third-period goal proves to be the difference-maker as the Rangers win, 2-1, and advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1997.

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5. Rangers vs. Senators, Eastern Conference quarterfinals (2012)

Ottawa Senators v New York Rangers - Game Seven
The New York Rangers celebrate their 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2012. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ottawa puts a scare into the home team, dominating the third period, but goals by Dan Girardi and Marc Staal end up sealing the deal. The Rangers win, 2-1.

4. Rangers vs. Flyers, Eastern Conference quarterfinals (2014)

Philadelphia Flyers v New York Rangers - Game Seven
Daniel Carcillo #13 of the New York Rangers (C) celebrates his goal at 3:06 of the second period along with John Moore #17 (R) and Kevin Klein #8 (L) against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2014. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Steve Mason stands on his head for Philly, but it's not enough to repel the Blueshirts, who get goals from two unlikely sources -- Dan Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot -- and win by a score of, you guessed it, 2-1.

3. Rangers vs. Capitals, Eastern Conference semifinals (2015)

Derek-Stepan-goal
Derek Stepan celebrates with Chris Kreider #20, Jesper Fast #19 and the rest of the New York Rangers after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals 2-1 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

An outstanding series comes to an end in appropriate fashion, with an overtime winner. Derek Stepan pounces on a rebound and beats a nearly unsolvable Braden Holtby to send New York back to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year.

2. Rangers vs. Devils, Eastern Conference finals (1994)

Stephane Matteau
Former New York Rangers player Stephane Matteau walks onto the ice during a ceremony retiring Adam Graves' jersey prior to a game between the New York Rangers and the Atlanta Thrashers on February 3, 2008 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Matteau swoops in to intercept. Matteau behind the net, swings it front and scores. Matteau. Matteau. Matteau. Stephane Matteau. After a dramatic Game 6 victory to even the series, the Rangers win Game 7 in double overtime to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

1. Rangers vs. Canucks, Stanley Cup Final (1994)

1994 NBA Finals Game 4: Houston Rockets v New York Knicks
Mark Messier, captain of the New York Rangers, holds the Stanley Cup Trophy at center court during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks on June 15, 1994 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

A 54-year curse is reversed, as the Rangers defeat the Vancouver Canucks at MSG and capture their first Stanley Cup since 1940.

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