Rangers vs Capitals: Capitals End Rangers’ Home Winning Streak
Following a disheartening 4-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday, the New York Rangers were once again left disappointed with a 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. Ryan Strome scored his first goal as a Ranger to tie the game early in the third period, but Brett Connolly scored shortly after which held up as the game-winning goal.
1-0 Rangers
Jimmy Vesey (8) - Assists: Jesper Fast (7) & Kevin Hayes (10)
The Rangers were able the open the scoring relatively quickly in this game and it came off of a 3-on-2 rush into the offensive zone. Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast, and Jimmy Vesey were able to connect on a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play and Vesey finished it off on the backdoor with a feed from Jesper Fast.
2-0 Rangers
Brady Skjei (2) - Assists: Brendan Smith (4) & Kevin Hayes (11)
Despite being under siege for the first half of the second period, the Rangers found a way to double up their lead at the 9:39 mark. Brady Skjei was able to step into a misdirected shot by Brendan Smith, and absolutely wired a slap shot over the glove of Phoenix Copley. The puck went in and out of the net so quickly that there was initially a delayed reaction on the goal from the players and officials.
2-1 Rangers
Nic Dowd (2) - Assists: John Carlson (18) & Brett Connolly (9)
Just 31 seconds after Brady Skjei’s goal, the Capitals were able to answer right back with a deflection in front of the net by Nic Dowd. The play started in the corner with the Capitals digging out a loose puck where the puck eventually made it’s way to John Carlson at the point. Nic Dowd was slamming his stick on the ice calling for the puck and was able to deflect it enough through traffic to fool Alexandar Georgiev.
2-2 Tie
Jakub Vrana (6) - Unassisted
The floodgates completely opened for the Capitals following their opening goal and Jakub Vrana quickly eliminated the Rangers lead with a ridiculous burst of speed. Brett Howden was caught trying to corral a loose puck as the last man back, but the puck took a strange bounce over his stick and landed in the neutral zone. Being that he was caught flat footed, Vrana absolutely burned by Howden and buried a simple backhand to tie up the game.
3-2 Capitals
Alex Ovechkin (17) - Assists: John Carlson (19) & Dmitry Orlov (7)
The Capitals weren’t just content with tying the game, and they took their first lead of the afternoon courtesy of Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was relatively quiet up until this point in the game, but a beautiful feed by John Carlson sliding in from the point gave Ovechkin his 17th goal of the season.
3-3 Tie
Ryan Strome (2) - Assists: Brett Howden (9) & Neal Pionk (11)
After giving up three straight goals to close out the second period, the Rangers needed an early boost and they got just that. Ryan Strome was able to convert on a ridiculous kick pass by Brett Howden in the slot, and slammed home the wrap around attempt on Phoenix Copley. That goal was Strome’s first as a New York Ranger, and it couldn’t have come at the better moment in the game.
4-3 Capitals
Brett Connolly (4) - Assists: John Carlson (20) & Jakub Vrana (8)
Unfortunately for the Rangers, the brief moment of a excitement was cut short with Brett Connolly’s fourth of the season to restore the Capitals one goal lead. Alexandar Georgiev was a bit slot to react to the cross-ice feed by John Carlson, and Connolly beat him with a quick snap shot off the one-timer.
5-3 Capitals
Tom Wilson (4) - Assists: Michal Kempny (4)
The Rangers attempted to tie the game by pulling the goaltender late in the third period, but Tom Wilson put the final nail in the coffin with the empty net goal. Wilson scored from his own goal line after making a defensive play on Chris Kreider.
Following a winless weekend of hockey, the Rangers will have a scheduled off day on Sunday before returning to action against the Ottawa Senators on Monday evening.
