The Washington Capitals looked tired and weary for most of the first period against the New York Rangers, but a burst of offense in the final 90 seconds have put them back in control.
Thanks, Nicklas Backstrom. Thanks, Michal Kempny.
Nicklas Backstrom goal
The Caps ceded the lead early, giving Chris Kreider a gimme goal just 21 seconds into the game. The Caps controlled play after that, but couldn’t crack Henrik Lundqvist’s net until 18 minutes later. That’s when John Carlson, set up by TJ Oshie’s drop pass, served the puck to Nicklas Backstrom near the goal mouth with a genius fake shot/slap pass. Backstrom one-timed it for his 14th goal of the season.
Michal Kempny goal
And just 21 seconds after that, Michal Kempny put Washington in the lead with a — well, um, you tell me what this is.
Seems like the New York Rangers just totally misread the play. They all collapsed low and wide, abandoning the slot so that Kempny could beat Lundqvist five-hole with a not-exactly-a-cannon of a shot.
With Connolly and Burakovsky recording assists on the goal, the third line continues their impressive late-season surge.
With an assist on Michal Kempny's goal, Andre Burakovsky now has three points (1g, 2a) in his last four games.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 24, 2019
Getting back into this game is a big deal. Though the Caps a are in a playoff spot now, the outcome today’s game will have a big impact on their chances to stay there.
Caps chances are solid but not exactly safe yet. A loss today would weaken them considerably. pic.twitter.com/rL33CxDUTk
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 24, 2019
