Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals blanked the New York Rangers by a score of 4-0 Saturday night at Capital One Arena. The win improved the Capitals’ record to 13-8-3 and 29 points on the season. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 29 saves for his second shutout thus far into the 2023-24 campaign.
The Lineup
Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas — Connor McMichael — Anthony Mantha
Sonny Milano — Evgeny Kuznetsov — T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn — Nic Dowd — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary — John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson — Nick Jensen
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Scratches: Right-wing Matthew Phillips and defensemen Alex Alexeyev and Lucas Johansen
Injuries: Center Nicklas Backstrom (hip) and left-wing Max Pacioretty (Achilles)
Transactions: Forward Hendrix Lapierre returned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears Saturday afternoon after the Capitals activated Oshie from injured reserve.
First Period
In his first game after being scratched, Milano (4) would give the Capitals an early 1-0 lead just 43 seconds into the opening frame. Fehervary (4) and Carlson (14) assisted.
Tallying 43 seconds in, not too shabby pic.twitter.com/6HJ7HTf7ka
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
Quick Stats
SOG: 12-8 Capitals
Face-Off Win %: 50%-50%
Hits: 10-8 Rangers
Second Period
Just 1:43 into the middle frame, Mantha (6) would make it 2-0 in favor of the Capitals. Kuznetsov (6) and Sandin (6) had the assists.
B-E-A-UTIFUL pic.twitter.com/4gd3llegm8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
It would be 3-0 Capitals, thanks to Wilson (9) at the 5:35 mark.
TOMMY SNIPE-SNIPE pic.twitter.com/DQxkqbrADg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
Aube-Kubel (2) would extend Washington’s lead, 4-0, midway through the period. Malenstyn (2) had the helper.
The NAK Attack strikes pic.twitter.com/ddmn2RHk1f
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2023
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 23-19 Rangers
Face-Off Win %: 59% (Capitals), 40% (Rangers)
Total Hits: 12-11 Rangers
Third Period
The final frame would go scoreless, sealing a 4-0 shutout victory for the Capitals.
Quick Stats
Total SOG: 29-28 Rangers
Face-Off Win %: 61% (Capitals), 38% (Rangers)
Total Hits: 18-17 Rangers
Notes Through the Game
- Milano marked Washington’s fastest goal to start a game this season (previously Mantha, 1:27, November 30 at Anaheim.)
- Carlson is now five assists shy of 500 career assists.
- Kuznetsov picked up his 392nd career assist, tying him with Mike Gartner for the fifth-most assists in franchise history.
- Wilson has scored five goals in his last five games.
- Aube-Kubel has recorded nine points (4g, 5a) in 17 career games versus the Rangers, the most points he has registered against a single opponent.
The Capitals start a four-game road trip on Sunday, clashing first with the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Monumental Sports Network will have the coverage beginning at 7 PM ET.
By Della Young