The Washington Capitals finally got back in the win column with a 6-3 win over the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on the team’s annual Black History Day. As part of the pregame festivities, Devante Smith-Pelly was on hand for the ceremonial puck drop. In the game, the Caps got two goals from T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov while Oshie notched a Gordie Howe hat trick.
T.J. Oshie struck first on the power play with the assists coming from Erik Gustafsson and Evgeny Kuznetsov at 4:25. Barclay Goodrow tied it at eight minutes and 1-1 was the score after one with the Caps leading in shots 8-7.
The Caps turned it on in the second period scoring four goals. One of their best games and performances in a long time. Oshie scored his second goal of the game at 3:16 for his 14th of the season which was assisted by Dylan Strome and Gustafsson. He would later get a Gordie Howe hat trick with a fight.
At 7:05 Tom Wilson scored his fifth goal of the season to make it 3-1 which was assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Alex Ovechkin. Oshie almost completed the hat trick but Sonny Milano was there for the rebound at 12:52 to make it 4-1 for his ninth goal of the season. Evgeny Kuznetsov unleashed the bird at 18:19 with the helpers coming from Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Martin Fehervary.
5-1 was the score after two with the Caps leading in shots 14-9.
Chris Kreider got the Rangers to within three with a power play goal at 6:49. Kuznetsov then scored his second of the game at 13:22 for his 11th of the season and assists coming from Ovechkin and Wilson. Kaapo Kakko rounded out the scoring at 19:32.
The Rangers led in shots in the third period 10-5 while the Caps led in shots 27-26 overall.
The Caps have a big game tomorrow afternoon on the road against the Buffalo Sabres. Winner of that likely gets in the playoffs.