Washington 4, NY Rangers 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 8, 2013
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Referees:
Brian Pochmara, Kyle Rehman
Linesmen:
Matt MacPherson, Mark Wheler
Attendance:
18006
By SportsDirect Inc.
Capitals 4, Rangers 1: Jason Chimera and defenseman Steve Oleksy scored 25 seconds apart early in the second period and visiting Washington posted its fourth win in five games.
Mikhail Grabovski converted a penalty-shot attempt and Eric Fehr also tallied for the Capitals, who had been blanked in each of their previous three meetings with the Rangers - including last year's playoffs. Philipp Grubauer made 30 saves en route to his first career victory, coming within 1:53 of a shutout in his second NHL start.
Benoit Pouliot scored the lone goal for New York, which fell to 0-1-1 on its franchise-record nine-game homestand. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 32 shots as the Rangers lost for the sixth time in seven home contests and dropped to 5-7-1 at Madison Square Garden this season.
Washington turned a scoreless tie into a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the second period. Chimera tucked in a loose puck in the crease 2:28 into the session and Oleksy beat a screened Lundqvist with a rising wrist shot from the blue line shortly thereafter.
Grabovski was awarded a penalty shot despite getting off a shot while being hooked from behind by Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh during a breakaway with 1:34 remaining in the middle period. The veteran cashed in for the first time in four career chances, drilling a slap shot past Lundqvist from between the hash marks.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New York was without D Marc Staal due to a sore neck. Staal left Saturday's game against New Jersey in the third period following a high hit by Devils rookie Reid Boucher. ... Lundqvist has faced 11 penalty shots in his career, allowing four goals. ... Chimera's tally ended Lundqvist's shutout streak against Washington at 202 minutes, 28 seconds.
Top Game Performances
| Washington |
|
NY Rangers |
|
Steve Oleksy 2 |
Points |
Benoit Pouliot 1 |
|
Steve Oleksy 1 |
Goals |
Benoit Pouliot 1 |
|
Steve Oleksy 1 |
Assists |
Michael Del Zotto 1 |
|
N/A |
Power Play Goals |
N/A |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Philipp Grubauer .968 |
Save Percentage |
Henrik Lundqvist .889 |
|
Philipp Grubauer 30 |
Saves |
Henrik Lundqvist 32 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| Washington
|
36 |
4 |
0-2 |
2-2 |
6 |
28 |
| NY Rangers
|
31 |
1 |
0-2 |
2-2 |
6 |
29 |
Upcoming Games
-
NY Rangers will play their next game at home against Nashville. The Rangers have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .625 after a loss.
-
Washington will play their next game at home against Tampa Bay. The Capitals have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .467 after a loss.