Washington
Postgame takeaways: Rangers get worked in Washington
New York Rangers All-Time Greats
New York Rangers All-Time Greats
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The final score would lead you to believe that Tuesday’s playoff rematch between the Rangers and Capitals was close. In truth, it was the most lopsided game in what has mostly been a smooth start to this Blueshirts’ season.
The result was their second regulation defeat, with the Caps managing a one-goal lead until adding a late empty-netter in a 5-3 win at Capital One Arena.
Despite the re slim margin of victory, the home team largely dominated. Washington outshot the Rangers, 46-19, and kept them on their heels for the majority of the evening.
Dominated from puck drop
The first period may have been the worst 20 minutes the Rangers have played yet this season.
They were under siege from the first shift on their way to being outshot 20-6, easily high total they’ve allowed in a period through nine games. The Capitals spent long stretches pinning the Blueshirts in their own end while peppering Igor Shesterkin with one chance after another, including seven of the high-danger variety, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Matt Rempe attempted to provide a spark after being recalled from AHL Hartford on Monday, but it seemed to have the reverse effect. The 6-foot-9 rookie received the brunt of the blows in a fight with heavyweight Dylan McIlrath, with the fired-up Caps scoring less a minute later.
Alex Ovechkin fueled their fast start, notching two goals in the first 5:10 of play. The first stemmed from one of several board battles lost by the Rangers, with Aliaksei Protas doing the dirty work to get the puck to Dylan Strome, who then found Ovechkin for a wrister from the top of the left circle.
The NHL’s second all-time leading scorer notched career goal No. 857 less than two minutes later, this coming off a failed clear attempt from Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller. It went from Strome to Protas to Ovechkin this time, with the latter beating Adam Fox to the backdoor for a one-timer finish.
Washington made it 3-1 by the 8:58 mark when Connor McMichael redirected a shot from Taylor Raddysh.
It could have been even worse if not for Shesterkin, who turned away 17 shots in the period to survive an array of turnovers and defensive mistakes in front of him.
The only New York line that was able to generate any offensive push featured Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, who have rightfully been earning more ice time of late. They were responsible for the lone Rangers’ goal of the period, with Kakko setting up Cuylle with a backhanded feed of the rush, which the 22-year-old netted for his third goal of the season.
Shaky night for Miller-Fox pair
The results were better for the Rangers in the second period, with a pair of goals coming from Chris Kreider and Chytil to help them pull within a 4-3 margin. But it didn’t exactly look that way.
They once again spent chunks of time defending, with the Capitals credited with a whopping 11 HD chances compared to three for the Blueshirts in the middle 20 minutes. Washington only turned that into one goal, though, when Protas won a board battle with Miller and then beat him to the front of the net for redirect finish.
That typified an especially rough night for the Miller-Fox pair, which had received a vote of confidence from head coach Peter Laviolette on Tuesday morning.
“K’Andre and Foxy have been really good pair for us,” he said. “We like it, so we haven’t changed that.”
They rated as one of the NHL’s best duos and had been the one constant on the Rangers’ D corps through eight games but finished with a minus-two rating in what was easily their shakiest performance yet.
That prompted Laviolette to change his mind and go back to a couple familiar pairings for the third period. Fox was reunited with long-time partner Ryan Lindgren, while Miller rejoined captain Jacob Trouba.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
Crews are on the scene of a serious crash on I-95 South in Stafford, Virginia.
Virginia State Police confirmed the crash was fatal but has not yet confirmed how many fatalities there were.
All southbound lanes are closed at mile marker 146.
Traffic is being diverted to Route 1 at exit 148.
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 and nbcwashington.com for updates.
Washington
Sounders FC, Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer launch Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass to celebrate the next generation of soccer across the Evergreen State | Seattle Sounders
RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC, in partnership with Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer, today announced the launch of the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes across the Evergreen State. As the sport reaches a defining moment across North America, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass invites every registered Washington Youth Soccer athlete aged 18 and under to receive a complimentary ticket to select home matches this season, connecting young players and their families across Washington to the heart of Sounders FC matchdays and Pacific Northwest soccer culture.
More than a ticket initiative, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is rooted in a shared belief that soccer belongs to everyone who plays it. With over 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer athletes eligible for the program – which includes access to additional discounted tickets for friends and family members – the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass celebrates those that continue to shape the sport’s strong foundation across the state. Coming at a significant moment for soccer in the region, with Seattle hosting six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, Sounders FC and its partners are joining together to invest in the players, families, clubs and communities that fuel the game year-round.
“The Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is about recognizing that every young player across Washington is already part of the story of this club,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “The Sounders are not just Seattle’s club – it’s Washington’s soccer club. Many of the players who wear our crest today, including Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock and Jackson Ragen, grew up playing in Washington Youth Soccer. Their journeys are proof that the connection between local soccer communities and Sounders FC is real, lasting and deeply rooted.”
The program is available for the Rave Green’s final 12 MLS regular-season and Leagues Cup home matches of the 2026 campaign, beginning with Seattle’s first contest after the 2026 FIFA World Cup break against archrival Portland Timbers on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM). Eligible Washington Youth Soccer athletes can access the offer through a **dedicated online portal** using their WYS Player ID.
With Seattle as its hometown, Starbucks is deeply rooted in communities across Washington and beyond. Starbucks serves as the initiative’s founding partner to make professional soccer more accessible for families throughout the season. A longtime Sounders FC partner, Starbucks joins the club in its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth athletes and their families across Washington, reinforcing shared values of community, connection and access to the game.
“We are proud to partner with Sounders FC and Washington Youth Soccer to expand our support for youth soccer across our hometown of Seattle and communities across Washington,” said Starbucks Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Erin Silvoy. “At Starbucks, we believe sports are a powerful force for connection, that brings people together through shared rituals and moments of joy. By helping more youth experience soccer first-hand, we hope to inspire the next generation while supporting the athletes, coaches and families who make our communities stronger.”
Founded in 1961, Washington Youth Soccer is one of the region’s leading youth sports organizations, helping shape generations of players and families through recreational and competitive opportunities across the state for more than 60 years. Affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer and FIFA, Washington Youth Soccer works alongside nearly 200 member clubs and local associations to help grow and strengthen the game at every level, creating accessible pathways and enriching experiences for youth athletes and their families throughout Washington.
”We see this partnership as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players,” said Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque. “There is something unique about attending a Sounders match at Lumen Field – the sights, sounds and world-class soccer all contribute to a goose bump-inducing experience. But the true inspiration comes from living the highs and lows of a match together, alongside family, friends and thousands of fans, who for 90 minutes, are all on the same team. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Sounders FC and Starbucks to bring this experience and the joy of soccer to the Washington Youth Soccer community.”
MLS is currently amid an extended break from play for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Seattle returning to action on Thursday, July 16 against the Portland Timbers on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Born in 1974 and a member of Major League Soccer since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC is one of North America’s leading professional soccer organizations. The club has captured nine major trophies since its inaugural MLS season, and following its Leagues Cup victory in 2025, Seattle became the first team in U.S. soccer history to win every major competition (Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup). Since the club’s MLS debut, Sounders fans have set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight-consecutive seasons (2009-2016), routinely ranking in the global top 30 among all professional clubs and never finishing outside of MLS’ top three.
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting hi-quality arabica coffee. Today, with a global footprint of more than 41,000 company-operated and licensed coffeehouses and a growing presence in consumer-packaged goods, we are the world’s premier purveyor of specialty coffee. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.
ABOUT WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) is the largest youth sports organization in Washington State, serving more than 90,000 players through a network of over 200 member associations and clubs statewide. WYS is committed to fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth of youth through the game of soccer by creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds and ability levels to learn, compete, and thrive. Through leagues, tournaments, player development programs, coaching education, community partnerships, and initiatives supported by the Washington Youth Soccer Foundation, WYS works to grow the game and create meaningful experiences for young athletes across Washington.
-
World2 minutes agoZelenskyy warns Russia may be preparing ‘massive’ new attack
-
News25 minutes agoTrump’s doctor recommends he lose weight and exercise more but says he is in ‘excellent health’ | CNN Politics
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoMan arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoArchdiocese of Detroit’s list of parishes chosen for halted Masses grows
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoGiants reassign 3B coach Borg; Wotus named interim replacement
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoVigil honors victims of Dallas apartment explosion that killed three and injured five
-
Miami, FL3 hours ago
Miami kosher, Mutra, restaurant earns Michelin star | The Jerusalem Post
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoRed Sox outfielder Roman Anthony suffers another injury setback
