“He’s had one little downturn where he wasn’t ‘Shesty-like’ but he’s been outstanding,” head coach Gerard Gallant said after the game. Ranger goalie and Vezina candidate Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves for his second straight shutout and sixth of the season. The Rangers (50-21-6) shutout the Winnipeg Jets, 3-0 at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. Washington limited the Islanders to just 11 shots, and New York’s only goal came on a Braden Holtby miscue.50 wins for the fifth time in franchise history, three straight shutouts and the Rangers continue to accumulate eye opening numbers in this incredible regular season that no one saw coming. If their relentlessly rugged performance in Game 7 against the Islanders was any indication, the Capitals are ready to mount a serious challenge to the Presidents’ Trophy winners. If he stays hot he’ll give the Caps another potent weapon that takes some of the burden off Ovechkin and Backstrom.Ĭonsidering the Rangers’ defensive strength and the presence of a healthy Lundqvist, who has frustrated the Capitals in the teams' last two playoff series, Washington must also be sound defensively against a New York team that was a league-best +60 this season. The 22-year-old Kuznetsov in particular emerged for the Capitals against the Islanders, scoring three goals in the final three games of the series, including the dazzling series-winner in Game 7. The play of the Washington’s second line forwards-Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jason Chimera and Marcus Johansson-will be critical against the Rangers, who only surrendered one goal to the Penguins four of their five first-round games. Ovechkin scored five against the Rangers this season, more than he tallied against any other team. Though top-line forwards Ovechkin, Backstrom and Joel Ward all had negative plus-minus ratings in the first round, the trio was very productive offensively, combining for six goals. They will have to continue their strong play against the Rangers to have a shot at advancing. Evgeny Kuznetsov's late winner lifts Capitals over Islanders in Game 7Īgainst the Islanders, the Capitals’ top two lines shined.
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