Rangers Recap: Rangers Lose Shesterkin, Then Game to Capitals, 3-1

The New York Rangers traveled to the nation's capital for their first matchup with their division rivals, the Washington Capitals. Coming into the game, the Rangers had won their previous four games, while the Capitals were coming off a victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Rangers' lines looked the same as they did in their 5-2 victory against the New York Islanders. The Capitals were without defenseman Matt Roy, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

First Period

Just over a minute into the opening frame, a tripping call on Ryan Leonard against his old college teammate Gabe Perreault sent the Rangers on the game's first power play. It was a questionable call but provided the Rangers a prime scoring opportunity. Early on the man advantage, the Blueshirts failed to get settled in the offensive zone. Eventually, play settled down, and both Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Dorofeyev got some opportunities but failed to beat Logan Thompson.

Shortly after the power play expired, Washington responded with a few shots of its own, but Igor Shesterkin held strong with multiple impressive saves. The next few minutes were dictated by the Capitals, but the game remained scoreless. At about the halfway point of the first, Dylan McIlrath was called for tripping, providing the Rangers with another power play.

Dorofeyev got another strong scoring chance early on, but Thompson came away with the save, and the Capitals cleared the puck. The Rangers quickly reestablished possession back in the offensive zone, and it was Alexis Lafrenière, dancing with the puck, who ripped one past Thompson. Lafrenière now has the Blueshirts' last three goals, including the game's first. Shesterkin unfortunately wouldn't get an assist, but it was his puck-moving ability that started the play. J.T. Miller and Dorofeyev were credited with the assists.

Following the goal, both sides possessed the puck, and Adam Fox had a strong scoring chance but was robbed by Thompson. With just under four minutes left in the period, Cole Beaudoin was called for hooking Leonard, which sent the Capitals on the power play. The Rangers' penalty-kill unit did not make things easy for Washington, but Alex Ovechkin did get a one-timer off from his office, which was saved by Shesterkin.

The shorthanded unit successfully killed off Beaudoin's penalty, and for the sixth time in as many games, the Rangers did not give up a goal in the first period. Eeli Tolvanen contributed to that, coming away with a nice block in the final seconds of the first.

Second Period

Similar to the other games to start the year, the Rangers got off to a slow start in the second period, with the Capitals rattling off some shots on goal. Tom Wilson got a good look at Shesterkin, but the Caps remained scoreless. About six minutes into the period, Timothy Liljegren tied the game with a one-timer off a pass from Dylan Strome. Jakob Chychrun screened Shesterkin, who could not see the puck

Right after the goal, Miller got called for high-sticking, sending Washington to its second power play of the game. The Rangers won the faceoff, cleared the puck, and gave the Capitals a hard time settling into the offensive zone. Eventually, they did get the puck into the zone, where all went wrong for New York. Shesterkin got injured hitting his right leg on the goalpost.

Shesterkin would be helped off the ice by his teammates, and Dylan Garand entered the game for the Rangers. Garand's lone start this season resulted in a shutout against the Detroit Red Wings. The Rangers killed off the remaining time on Miller's penalty, and the game remained tied. The Capitals peppered Garand with shots, but his shutout streak continued early on in his unexpected action.

Dorofeyev had a breakaway thanks to a nice pass from Fox. The offseason acquisition continued to generate shots but had not scored a goal since the Rangers' second game. The Rangers' third line then produced a nice shift generated off a strong forecheck, and all three pinned Washington in its own zone for an extended period.

The Rangers seemed to finally get some offensive momentum, but Beaudoin turned the puck over in the defensive zone to Boone Jenner, who had no one between him and Garand. The Capitals' 2-1 lead marked the first time the Rangers had trailed since opening night.

Shortly after his goal, Jenner was called for high-sticking, giving the Rangers a chance to tie the game. The Blueshirts' first unit registered a few shots on goal, including a one-timer from Zibanejad, which broke his stick. With the second unit out, the Capitals generated a shorthanded chance but couldn't capitalize. Three seconds after the power play expired, the period ended with Washington leading 2-1.

Third Period

Early in the period, Garand misplayed a dump-in that nearly led to a Capitals goal. A bit later, the Rangers generated multiple good shots on net but failed to tie the game. Garand then made a strong save on a two-on-one, which was quickly followed by a penalty against Fox. Garand made big saves on Washington's power play to keep the Rangers in the game.

After the power play, both teams traded turns with the puck but went some time without any true scoring chances. With about 10 minutes remaining in the third, the Rangers' offensive game picked up a bit. Time was running out for the Blueshirts to keep their winning streak alive.

The Rangers continued to push, but their efforts remained nominal as Thompson's strong night in net continued. Garand headed to the bench with about two minutes left in the game. New York got a few chances with shots before an icing from Washington. With 80 seconds left, the Rangers used their timeout.

The Rangers fought to tie the game, firing shots at the net, but in the final second, Wilson scored an empty-net goal to secure the Capitals' 3-1 victory.

The Rangers' next game is Sunday at home against the Vancouver Canucks.