The Henrik Lundqvist-less New York Rangers are currently going through a rebuild, and Monday night at Madison Square Garden, the Capitals took several young Rags players to school.
The Capitals scored four times in the first period, taking advantage of a hole-y defense and poor goaltending. Alexandar Georgiev was pulled in favor of Ondrej Pavelec after giving up three goals in the first 8:54 of the game.
TJ Oshie goal, 1-0 Caps
Wow. @TJOshie77 and @backstrom19 stay 🔥!! #CapsRangers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ZCMcYMtxlI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 26, 2018
On the first goal, TJ Oshie’s stick got credit, but it was Nick Backstrom’s pass that made it possible. Gaining the zone, Backstrom sucked up all the attention from the young blueshirt squad as Oshie got open. Even with a narrow angle, Oshie delivered. It’s his fourth goal in the last six games, so he’s heating up at the right time.
Matt Niskanen goal, 2-0 Caps
Nisky adds to the lead! Washington coming out hot. #CapsRangers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ua3neZHCB2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 26, 2018
Following two minutes and change later, Matt Niskanen scored his seventh goal of the season from point-blank after receiving a beautiful pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Alex Ovechkin goal, 3-0 Caps
SHORT. SIDE. ROCKET! @ovi8 #CapsRangers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/dNVOM75gty
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2018
After two agonizingly goal-less games, Ovechkin struck on the power play, scoring on a rare goal-mouth wrist– just kidding it was an Ovi Shot from the Ovi Spot. That makes a league-leading 45 goals on the season for Ovechkin.
And that was enough to chase rookie goalie Alexandar Georgiev from net. He “allowed” three goals on six shots, but I don’t think Ovi PP goals should count. They’re like playing tennis with the net down.
Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, 4-0 Caps
Go deep I'll look for ya! @Kuzya92 with the shortie. #CapsRangers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/B9zfozfLmo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2018
Finally, Kuznetsov pierced Pavelec shorthanded to end the period, putting the Caps up four. Michal Kempny lobbed the puck high in the air. Alex Chiasson eventually got control of the puck and pushed it over to Kuzy for his 24th goal of the season.
Kuznetsov's shorthanded goal here tonight is his first shorthanded point in the NHL since he scored a SHG as his first NHL goal four years ago yesterday, on 3/25/14. #CapsNYR
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) March 27, 2018
Okay, Caps. Now don’t 🐢.
