The Washington Capitals needed a spark to elevate their collective game as they head into the final 20 games of the season with a sizable lead in both the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings. On Wednesday night, they found that spark against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
The Caps took an early lead on P-L Dubois’s first-period goal, but the Rangers tied it up midway through the frame. The game remained deadlocked until the third period, when Alex Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal to tie the score.
However, Washington continued its momentum in the final minutes of regulation and overtime. Tom Wilson netted the game-winner in the extra session with a sublime play from Dylan Strome, finishing off a 2-on-1 rush with a tap-in at the right post.
“I wanted to get the puck to Stromer,” Wilson recounted. “He’s still got such good poise and he’s such a great facilitator with the puck. And I knew that if it was open, he’d try and get it back [to me], so I just made sure that if he was going to pass it back, I would put it in.”
The Caps’ penalty killing unit played a crucial role in the comeback victory, shutting down multiple power plays and limiting the Rangers to only four shots on goal in the final 24 minutes of play.
“We fought through a lot tonight,” said Caps coach Spencer Carbery. “There was a lot going on in that hockey game, start to finish. You could feel a little bit of tension in the air; the building plays into it.”
Washington’s victory extends their two-game winning streak and keeps them in strong position for a playoff spot.
Source: https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/caps-take-comeback-win-over-rangers-in-ot