Caps score four in the first, top Rangers 4-2
Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov each had a goal and an assist as the Washington Capitals scored four first-period goals and defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 Monday night in New York.
The Capitals stretched their winning streak to four. They also extended their Metropolitan Division lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins to five points -- 97 to 92 -- with six games remaining for both teams.
In addition, this was the second straight game where Washington has scored at least three goals in the first period.
A member of the team's web site tweeted that, per Elias Sports, this was the second time in franchise history Washington has scored at least three goals in the first period of consecutive road games -- the last time coming on Oct. 25-27, 1985.
Washington also got one goal apiece from Matt Niskanen and T.J. Oshie in that first period. Nicklas Backstrom had four assists in the team's last game and added two more in this one.
Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer played well again, making 28 saves in the victory.
The Capitals scored four goals in a stretch of just under 14 minutes in the first period, chasing starting goalie Alexandar Georgiev after the third one, and taking a 4-0 lead after one.
Oshie, Niskanen and then Ovechkin (goal No. 45) each scored in a span of 6:04 in the first period. The final one was an Ovechkin power-play goal just 8:54 into the game, ending Georgiev's night after three goals on six shots.
Washington defenseman John Carlson got his 49th assist on that play.
Ondrej Pavelec took over in net but Kuznetsov beat him on a short-handed goal from in front with 3:21 left in the period for the 4-0 lead.
One of the few positives for New York came when Lias Andersson scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. The No. 7 pick in last year's draft cut the lead to 4-1 in the second period.
Mats Zuccarello made it 4-2 in the third period, but the Rangers could do no more.
This was the first part of a home-and-home set between the two teams. New York comes to Washington Wednesday night.
--Field Level Media
