Rangers vs Capitals: Rangers Drop Third Straight Game in Washington
The New York Rangers dropped their third straight game this evening as they were handed a 5-2 loss by the Washington Capitals. New York played catchup the entire night, and just never found the tying goal when they pulled back within one. Henrik Lundqvist played out of mind as well, and turned away 31 of the 35 shots he faced on the night.
Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Capitals
T.J. Oshie (5) PPG - Unassisted - 2:24 1st Period
It didn’t take the Capitals very long to jump out to an early lead in this game, and they picked up an early power play goal. T.J. Oshie’s bank attempt got caught up in some feet as it entered the crease, and Marc Staal wound up kicking the puck into his own net. Henrik Lundqvist made two incredible saves just prior to the puck entering the net, and it’s a shame he wasn’t rewarded for his efforts.
1-1 Tie
Pavel Buchnevich (1) PPG - Mike Zibanejad (5) & Jacob Trouba (4) - 12:25 1st Period
It took some time, but the Rangers finally answered back at the 12:25 mark of the period with a power play goal of their own. Jacob Trouba started the entire sequence with a controlled breakout, and found Mika Zibanejad cutting down the right wing boards. Zibanejad immediately flipped the puck over to Pavel Buchnevich in open space, and he outwaited Braden Holtby to tie up the game.
2-1 Capitals
Michal Kempny (1) - Alex Ovechkin (4) & John Carlson (12) - 15:16 1st Period
With a little under five minutes remaining in the opening frame, the Capitals regained their lead courtesy of Michal Kempny. John Carlson’s bomb from the point gave Lundqvist some trouble, and he dropped the rebound right at the top of the crease. Michael Kempny, who just slid down from his point, jumped on the loose puck and shoveled home the easy rebound.
3-1 Capitals
Nic Dowd (1) - Dimitri Orlov (3) & John Carlson (13) - 3:45 2nd Period
Washington carried the late momentum they gained over to the second period, and were immediately rewarded for their efforts. A missed assignment by Chris Kreider left a wide open lane for Dimitri Orlov, and he rang a quick shot off of the post. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the puck bounced right to Nic Dowd in the high slot, and he shot the puck back into the wide open net.
3-2 Capitals
Artemi Panarin (3) - Chris Kreider (3) & Mika Zibanejad (6) - 16:56 2nd Period
The Rangers’ top line finally got on the scoresheet late in the second period as Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin connected on a give-and-go. Libor Hajek didn’t get an assist on the play, but he kept the play alive with a leaping keep-in at the blue line. Panarin collected the puck on a layoff pass from Mika Zibanejad and converted on the quick give-and-go at the far post to make it a one-goal game.
4-2 Capitals
T.J. Oshie (6) PPG - John Carlson (14) & Nicklas Backstrom (6) - 10:18 3rd Period
The Capitals had a huge opportunity to put away the game midway through the third period after Brendan Smith was given an instigator penalty during his fight. Washington went right to work on the ensuing power play, and a deflection in the high slot by T.J. Oshie was all they needed to restore the two-goal lead. John Carlson picked up his third assist on the night, and things looked pretty bleak for the Rangers.
5-2 Capitals
Garnet Hathaway (2) ENG - Carl Hagelin (2) - 19:32 3rd Period
After the Rangers controlled the puck for an extended period of time in the offensive zone, Carl Hagelin made a great defensive play to clear the zone. Hagelin finished off the play with a great chip pass up to Garnet Hathaway, who closed out the game with an empty net goal.
Following a rough back-to-back set for the Rangers, they will have a scheduled off day tomorrow before turning to action on Sunday afternoon.