Washington Capitals defeat Rangers Friday night

In Michal Kempny’s return to action, the Washington Capitals protected home ice and defeated the New York Rangers 5-2.

T.J. Oshie lit the lamp twice and John Carlson had another three-point night, all assists. Michal Kempny scored in his first game back and it was another all-around good game for the Washington Capitals.

After new Ranger Artemi Panarin slashed Oshie 69 seconds into the game, the Caps went on the power play and struck right away. Nicklas Backstrom drove toward the net and found Oshie. It took a couple of attempts but he was able to push one past Henrik Lundqvist to make it 1-0.

The Rangers knotted the score with a power play goal of their own by Pavel Buchnevich after Backstrom was called for tripping.

Shortly after at 15:16 Kempny scored his first goal of the season. Carlson shot toward the net, Alex Ovechkin tried to redirect the puck in but once he missed the puck went right to Kempny who banged it home.

The first period ended with the Capitals leading 2-1 despite being outshot 12-9. In the second they went up 3-1. After Dmitry Orlov‘s shot pinned off the post, Nic Dowd was there to rebound it home for his first goal of the season at 3:45. Carlson had the secondary assist.

The Rangers got one back to pull within one at 16:56 from Panarin. 3-2 was the score heading into the second intermission with the Caps outshooting the Rangers 16-7.

The Capitals added to their lead at 10:18 when Oshie notched his second goal of the game after deflecting in a shot from up top by Carlson. Carlson once again had himself a three-point night with his third assist of the game. Backstrom was credited with the secondary helper.

Garnet Hathaway put the game out of reach with an empty net goal off a pass from Carl Hagelin. 5-2 was the final. Shots were even in the third at nine apiece. Overall Washington outshot New York 34-28.

In Braden Holtby‘s first start since having Wednesday night off to reset, the Holtbeast returned to form. He stopped 26-of-28 for a .929 save percentage. The win improved Washington’s record to 5-2-2 with 12 points, good for second in the Metropolitan Division in a three-way point tie with the first place Pittsburgh Penguins and third place Carolina Hurricanes.

Overall this was a big win for the Capitals in an exciting week for D.C. sports fans. Many Washington Nationals players were in attendance and Max Scherzer dropped the ceremonial baseball while Adam Eaton read the starting lineup in the Capitals locker room before the game.

Now they hit the road to finish out the month beginning Sunday in Chicago.