Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 6-5 (OT) Sunday afternoon at Capital One Arena. The win improves the Capitals record to 35-21-7 (77 points) on the season. The Capitals are back in action on Tuesday when they host the Ottawa Senators at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.
SUMMARY
The Rangers would notch the game’s first tally just 21 seconds into the contest, but the Capitals would be respond. Nicklas Backstrom and Michal Kempny registered scores in the first period and Tom Wilson would add a third unanswered goal early in the middle frame to make it 3-1 Capitals. The Rangers would get one back in the final two minutes of the second period for a 3-2 score at the second intermission. The Capitals would add goals from Nic Dowd and Nicklas Backstrom to make it 5-3, but the Rangers would respond to make it 5-4, just six minutes into the final frame. The Rangers would tie the game with 30 seconds remaining in the game, sending the game to overtime. The Capitals would win it in overtime with a goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (13-5-3, 2.97 GAA, .904 sv%) got the start in goal for the Capitals. Henrik Lundqvist (17-16-8, 2.97 GAA, .909) started between the pipes for the visiting Rangers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Hagelin-Dowd-Boyd
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Nick Jensen made his first start since being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Scratches: Christian Djoos and Chandler Stephenson.
FIRST PERIOD
The Rangers uncorked the games the first tally just 21 seconds into the contest. Jimmy Vessey would make a nice centering pass to Kris Kreider for the finish.
The Capitals would tie the game with a goal from Nicklas Backstrom at 18:42 of the first period. The goal was setup by a beautiful head-fake pass from John Carlson to a wide open Backstrom. John Carlson (47) and T.J. Oshie (20) were credited with the helpers.
21 seconds later, Michal Kempny gave the Capitals their first lead of the game. Brett Connolly (18) and Andre Burakovsky (11) were credited with the assists.
The first period would end with the Capitals leading 2-1. The Capitals led in shot attempts 19-12 with shots on goal (SOG) tied 7-7. The Capitals were 0 for 1 and the Rangers 0 for 0 on the power play in the opening frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would stretch their lead to 3-1 with a power play goal from Tom Wilson at 5:09 of the middle frame. Jakub Vrana (20) and Lars Eller (20) had the assists.
The Rangers would close the gap to one with a late goal from Brady Skjei at 18:18 of the second period.
The second stanza would close with the Capitals leading 3-2. SOG were once again tied, 113-13 for the second period, and 20-20 after 40 minutes.
THIRD PERIOD
The Rangers tied the game with a goal just 21 seconds into the final frame with a goal from Jimmy Vessey, making it 3-3.
But Capitals would quickly restore their lead with a goal from Nic Dowd at 2:25 of the final frame. Travis Boyd (12) and Brooks Orpik (4) were credited with the helpers.
Nicklas Backstrom would make it a two-goal lead with a snipe at 3:01 of the third period. The goal was unassisted.
The Rangers would respond with a goal from Vladislav Namestikov at 6:01, making it 5-4.
The Rangers would tied the game just over 30 seconds left in regulation with a goal from Brady Skeij, sending the game to overtime.
OVERTIME
The Capitals would win it in the last-minute of overtime with a goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov.
SHAVINGS
- Tom Wilson gave the Caps a 3-1 lead. That’s his 17th goal of the season, a new career high, and his third power play goal of the season. He entered this season with one career goal on the power play, which he recorded on his first career goal (Nov. 5, 2013 vs. Islanders).
- Nicklas Backstrom gave the Caps a 5-3 lead with his second goal of the game. That marks his first two-goal game since Nov. 30 vs. the Devils (3g) and his 24th career game with at least two goals.
- Michal Kempny gave the Caps a 2-1 lead with a goal 21 seconds after Backstrom’s goal. That’s one second shy of the fastest back-to-back goals the Caps have had this season (20 seconds, Feb. 18 at Los Angeles).
- Nic Dowd gave the Caps a 4-3 lead. That’s his sixth goal of the season, tied with his single season career high (2016-17 as a member of the Los Angeles Kings).
- Nick Jensen made his Capitals debut.
- The NHL box score is here.
SCENES FROM THE DISTRICT