T.J. Oshie Scores Hat-Trick In Capitals’ 4-2 Win Over Rangers

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Jon Sorensen
Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals downed the New York Rangers, 4-1, Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. The victory improves the Capitals record to 34-14-5 (73 points) on the season. The Capitals are once again tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the East Division, and have one game in hand.

The game began with a series of fights, six in total, and over 100 minutes in penalties, but the opening frame would eventually go scoreless.

T.J. Oshie would open the scoring just 12 seconds into the middle frame and add a second goal at 8:26 of the second period to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead. Nic Dowd redirected a shot by John Carlson to make it 3-0 at the second intermission.

The Rangers would get on the board early in the final period to make it 3-1. T.J. Oshie would pot an empty net goal for the hat trick late in the final frame and the Rangers would add a late goal for the 4-2 final.

GAME STATS

STARTERS

Vitek Vanecek (19-9-0-4, 2.76 GAA, .907 sv%) started between the pipes for the visiting Capitals. Igor Shesterkin (15-13-0-3) got the start in goal for the Rangers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Scratches: Alex Ovechkin (lower body injury), Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-19-related absences list), Daniel Sprong (illness).

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals and Rangers dropped the gloves at the opening puck drop with numerous players heading to the box.

Moments later Tom Wilson would drop the gloves with Brendan Smith.

There were six fights in total in the first five minutes of the game but there was no scoring in the first frame.

Capitals led in shot attempts 12-8 in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD

The Capitals opened the scoring with a goal from TJ Oshie (19) just 12 seconds into the middle frame. Brenden Dillon (16) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (2) had the helpers.

The Capitals would extend their lead to 2-0 with a second goal from T.J. Oshie (20) at 8:26 of the second period. Dmitry Orlov (x) and Nicklas Backstrom (38) had the assists.

Nic Dowd (11) would redirect a blast by John Carlson to make it 3-0 at 14:48 of the second period. John Carlson (34) and Dmitry Orlov (12) had the helpers.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 3-0. The Capitals led in shot attempts 17-5 in the second period, and led 29-13 after two periods. The Capitals led in scoring chances 14-5, and expected goals for 1.07 to .54.

THIRD PERIOD

The Rangers would finally get on the scoreboard with a goal from Alexis Lafreniere (11) at 1:15 of the third period.

T.J. Oshie would pot an empty net goal for the hat trick late in the final frame.

The Rangers would add a late goal for the 4-2 final.

The Capitals are back on the ice on Friday when they host the Philadelphia Flyers in the first game of a back-to-back set. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

SHAVINGS

  • Since joining the Capitals in 2015-16, Oshie ranks second on the Capitals with 147 goals (Alex Ovechkin: 255).
  • Nic Dowd gives the Caps a 3-0 lead with his 11th goal of the season, his second goal in his last two games and a career high in a season.
  • Oshie has scored 13 goals on the power play this season, which is a new single-season career high and is tied with Dallas’ Joe Pavelski for the most in the NHL.
  • T.J. Oshie scored his second goal of the game to extend the Caps’ lead to 2-0. It marks Oshie’s 20th goal of the season, the sixth time in his career he has reached the 20-goal mark.

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROM THE BIG APPLE

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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3 Responses to T.J. Oshie Scores Hat-Trick In Capitals’ 4-2 Win Over Rangers

  1. Anonymous says:
    May 5, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    This is one of those games you will never forget. Incredible.

    Reply

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