Washington Capitals rally past Rangers

Friday night was looking like a forgettable game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers. Then Alex Ovechkin took over and his two goals in the third period turned out to be the difference in a 2-1 win for their seventh win in a row. The Caps have won all their games without Tom Wilson, who returns from his suspension tonight.

The Rangers got on the power play in the first period when Nicklas Backstrom was called for tripping at 15:21. They scored on the attack at 16:42 with a goal from Artemi Panarin. 1-0 was the score after one with the Rangers leading in shots 8-5.

The second period was scoreless and the Caps were outshot 11-6.

As time winded down in the third period with the Caps trailing 1-0, they looked to none other than their captain to take over the game. Ovechkin scored a goal not his typical style. Both times, Ovechkin crashed the net and rebounded it in.

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Ovechkin’s first goal came at 13:18 when Justin Schultz ripped a slapshot toward the net. On the loose puck, Evgeny Kuznetsov touched it but Ovechkin was there to knock it in.

He wasn’t done there. At 16:27, Zdeno Chara set up John Carlson. Carlson shot the puck at an angle and Ovechkin was there to rebound it in for his 14th goal of the season and 720th of his career.

Alex Ovechkin told the media after the game via Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post (subscription required):

“Sometimes you have to get those really gritty ones. It’s still the same whether it’s goal from my spot [in the left faceoff circle] or whatever. It’s most important goal, and it’ll take it.”

2-1 would be the final. The Rangers outshot the Caps 14-7 in the third period and 33-18 overall but Vitek Vanecek stood tall. Other than that one power play goal he let by, Vanecek made 32 saves for a .970 save percentage including 29 saves at even strength.

Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters after the game:

“Vitek played really well. He made some big saves. I thought he was really sharp. Our goaltending has been real good lately and it has given us a chance to win games, and that was a perfect example of giving us a chance to win a game.”

The Caps and Rangers will meet again tonight at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and you can catch the game on NBC Sports Washington.