WASHINGTON (AP) — A recreation that had the whole lot from highlight-reel targets and a struggle to a doubtlessly vital damage left one playoff-bound crew looking for solutions and gave a fading rival a glimmer of hope with loads of remorse about not turning issues round sooner.
T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov every scored twice, Tom Wilson had a purpose in opposition to the crew he’s ruffled essentially the most throughout his NHL profession and Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Saturday, snapping their six-game skid.
“Divisional opponent coming in and big rivalry, emotional game, sometimes those are the ones that a team comes together,” Wilson mentioned. “We showed up ready to play.”
The Rangers’ tough run continued with their fourth consecutive loss, which included a expensive damage approaching prime of one other defensive letdown. Top-pairing defenseman Ryan Lindgren left within the first interval after taking a tough hit from Oshie into the boards together with his left shoulder first and didn’t return.
Coach Gerard Gallant had no postgame replace on Lindgren’s standing. But he known as the hit “dirty” and “cheap,” and his gamers instantly knew it wasn’t good.
“He’s a real heart-and-soul guy who does everything for our team,” ahead Chris Kreider mentioned. “It definitely hurts the team a lot to lose Ryan like that. Really isn’t another Ryan Lindgren, so it’s a big loss for us.”
Lindgren’s damage might have an effect on New York’s plans forward of the commerce deadline Friday and probably open the door to purchase longtime Chicago winger Patrick Kane sooner reasonably than later. They additionally made a few off-ice strikes throughout the recreation to set that course of in movement.
But whereas Kane can produce a lot offensively — his 1,225 factors rank fourth amongst U.S. gamers — the three-time Stanley Cup champion doesn’t remedy New York’s downside of protecting the puck out of its personal web. Even All-Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who denied countryman Alex Ovechkin and others with some huge saves, couldn’t save the day in opposition to the Capitals, giving up 5 targets on 22 photographs earlier than getting pulled after two intervals.
“It wasn’t the goalie’s fault, trust me,” Gallant mentioned. “It was more the team. It was all the team.”
Kuznetsov scored one time every in opposition to Shesterkin and Jaroslav Halak, whereas Sonny Milano had Washington’s different purpose. Beyond scoring twice, Oshie fought Barclay Goodrow, who was sad with the hit on Lindgren, and assisted on Milano’s purpose to give him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
“I get paid a lot of money to put offense up on the board and haven’t been doing it as of late,” Oshie mentioned. “Felt good to get a couple.”
The crowd erupted every time, silencing the numerous followers in blue who began “Let’s Go Rangers!” chants early and had solely Goodrow’s deflection purpose within the first interval and one every from Kreider and Kaapo Kakko within the third to have a good time.
There hasn’t been a lot to be completely happy about for the Capitals currently, given their struggles and the commerce Thursday of defenseman Dmitry Orlov and winger Garnet Hathaway, although this recreation, with an offensive outburst and Darcy Kuemper’s 23 saves, offered a much-needed respite.
Washington continues to be anticipated to commerce extra pending free brokers earlier than the deadline however with the win acquired to 64 factors and stays within the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The Rangers are solidly in as one of many prime three groups within the Metropolitan Division, however one other defeat damage their probabilities of protecting tempo with the second-place New Jersey Devils, who might additionally make a transfer or two earlier than the deadline prematurely of the groups’ potential first-round showdown.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
Capitals: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.
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Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno
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