Capitals Thump Rangers 2-0, Win Metropolitan Division and President’s Trophy

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Jon Sorensen
Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 2-0 Wednesday night at Verizon Center. The win raised the Capitals’ record to 54-18-8 (116 points). With the win, the Capitals won the Metropolitan Division and the President’s Trophy, ensuring home-ice advantage through-out the playoffs. The Capitals next travel to Boston to face the Bruins in the penultimate game of the season. Puck drop is 3:00 p.m. 

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals.

John Carlson was scratched for the second consecutive game. He is officially listed as day-to-day. Nate Schmidt replaced Carlson in the lineup.

Taylor Chorney and Paul Carey were the healthy scratches for the Capitals.

Tonight’s attendance was 18,506, the Capitals’ 356th consecutive sellout at Verizon Center.

QUICK HITS

  • The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division
  • With the win, the Capitals clinched best record and the President’s Trophy.
  • Braden Holtby stopped all 24 shots he faced to earn his League-leading ninth shutout of the season. Holtby tied the franchise record for shutouts in a season, tying himself in 2014-15 and Jim Carey in 1995-96.
  • Holtby earned his 42nd win of the season, marking the second-most wins in a season by a goaltender in franchise history.
  • Marcus Johansson has tallied 12 points in his last 10 games (3/18-4/5: 1g, 11a) and sits two assists shy of tying his career high in assists (2013-14: 36).
  • Alex Ovechkin earned an assist, marking his 13th point in his last 13 games.
  • The Capitals are just the 3rd team to win the Presidents’ Trophy at least 3 times since its inception in 1985-86 (also DET: 6 and NYR: 3).

FIRST PERIOD
The first period would go scoreless. The Capitals opened the game with an impressive attack, registering the first three shots on goal, but the Rangers evened things up as the period progressed. The Rangers outshot the Capitals 9-6 for the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would finally notch the game’s first goal with a power play tally from Alex Ovechkin at the 14:49 of the middle frame. The goal was later changed to Justin Williams‘ goal, as Ovechkin’s shot glanced of his leg.

John Walton’s call:

The period would end with the Capitals leading the Rangers 1-0. Washington outshot New York 11-9 for the second period. The Rangers led in shots on goal 18-17 thru two periods of play. In the middle of the period, Dmitry Orlov provided the hit of the game to an unsuspecting Ranger.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals would grab a 2-0 lead on a break-away goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov at 5:42 of the final frame.

John Walton’s call:

The Capitals would hang on for the 2-0 win, and in doing so, secured home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Final call from John Walton:

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROM VERIZON CENTER

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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