NEW YORK — The Washington Capitals shook off just a little early rust, capitalized on some depth scoring and bought stout goaltending from Darcy Kuemper as they cruised previous the New York Rangers, 4-0, on Tuesday night time at Madison Sq. Backyard of their first recreation after the NHL’s vacation break.
Washington
Surging Capitals roll past the Rangers for their fifth straight win
Defenseman Erik Gustafsson scored his fifth aim in as many video games to open a 2-0 lead late within the second interval. Lars Eller made it 3-0 with 36.3 seconds left within the interval to present the Capitals some respiration room on their solution to a sixth straight highway win, which matches a franchise document.
The Rangers tried to make a push within the third, however Kuemper was stellar and completed with 32 saves for his third shutout. Tuesday was simply his second begin since he was injured Dec. 3 at Calgary.
After blocking a shot moments prior, Conor Sheary hit the empty web from the defensive zone whereas the Capitals have been shorthanded with 3:02 left. Sheary winced on his solution to the bench however didn’t go away the sport early.
Washington (20-13-4) prolonged its successful streak to 5 and has gained 10 of its previous 11. With the win, the Capitals moved into third place within the Metropolitan Division.
Netminder Igor Shesterkin (26 saves) did all he may to maintain New York (19-12-5) within the recreation, however final 12 months’s Vezina Trophy winner because the NHL’s high goalie couldn’t assist the Rangers produce on the opposite finish of the ice.
Washington hosts Ottawa on Thursday night time. 9 of the Capitals’ first 10 video games following the vacation break are towards Japanese Convention opponents, together with six towards the Metro.
Gustafsson gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead with 2:59 left within the second. The Rangers challenged for goaltender interference after it appeared Sheary nudged Shesterkin within the crease. Replay confirmed the decision and put the Capitals on the ability play. The Capitals couldn’t capitalize on that chance, however they’d been capable of money in on a two-man benefit within the first.
Marcus Johansson gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 8:44 with the Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren and Chris Kreider within the field. Johansson poked in a unfastened puck on the goalmouth after a misplay by Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Defenseman Alex Alexeyev almost doubled the guests’ lead late within the first after his shot on an odd-man rush hit the crossbar. Alexeyev performed his first recreation since he was injured Dec. 9 towards Seattle, changing John Carlson within the lineup.
The Rangers had a number of seems to get again into the sport, together with a scoring likelihood that was reviewed halfway by the second. Julien Gauthier shot the puck, and it disappeared below Kuemper’s pads. The decision on the ice was no aim, and that held up below assessment. Not lengthy after, Gustafsson put Washington in command.
Here’s what else to know concerning the Capitals’ win:
Carlson out ‘long run’
The Capitals positioned Carlson on injured reserve Tuesday; he took a puck to the suitable facet of his head in Friday’s win over Winnipeg. Carlson was taken to a hospital that night time and was launched Saturday. Coach Peter Laviolette stated Carlson could be out “long run.”
“He’s definitely an essential participant,” Laviolette stated. “We talked about it this morning: Our guys should be prepared for this problem, to present extra, to do extra, to maintain issues transferring.”
Different injured gamers shut
A handful of the Capitals’ different injured gamers, together with ahead Beck Malenstyn and defenseman Martin Fehervary, are getting near returning.
Malenstyn broke a finger in early November and has been training with the workforce. He traveled to New York and took half in Tuesday’s morning skate. Fehervary didn’t journey however has proven indicators of progress since struggling an upper-body damage in early December.
Ahead Tom Wilson, nonetheless recovering from offseason ACL surgical procedure, skated on his personal in Washington. He shed his noncontact jersey for the primary time final week.