The New York Rangers (NYR) lost 3 straight games for the first time this season, reducing their division lead to 3 points. They faced the Washington Capitals (ALLCAPS) on consecutive days. Charlie Lindgren started for the Capitals in the first game, while Kaapo Kakko did not play. Alex Ovechkin was a game-time decision but ultimately missed both games due to a lower-body injury. The Capitals won the first game 3-2, with T.J. Oshie scoring the winning goal. In the second game, Kakko returned to the Rangers' lineup, and they won 2-1, ending their 4-game losing streak.
Alex Ovechkin (lower body) is not dressed for warmups for Capitals vs. Ducks and will miss his third straight game. It will be John Gibson (ANA) and Darcy Kuemper (WSH) in the nets.
Alex Ovechkin (lower body, missed past two games) will be a game-time decision, per coach Spencer Carbery. Carbery confirmed Alexander Alexeyev will play for first time since Nov. 24 vs. Edmonton. Trevor van Riemsdyk will sit on D in his place.
Alex Ovechkin is again a game-time decision for the Capitals, Alex Alexeyev returns following 24 consecutive healthy scratches and more game notes as the #ALLCAPS brace for the Ducks. Everything to know right here: https://t.co/SX5bw8AsQw
Ovechkin is a game-time decision again, per Carbery.
The Capitals got a positive sign on Tuesday, as Alex Ovechkin took part in the morning skate. However, he did not take power-play reps. Here's the latest on the #ALLCAPS captain: https://t.co/fcwzRMb8Wi
Ovechkin is on the ice for the morning skate ahead of ANA tonight but the #ALLCAPS ' captain is not taking PP reps. So, we'll see.
Caps are doing PP reps right now. Ovechkin not joining them
Alex Ovechkin (lower body) one of the first players on the ice before the Capitals morning skate today. Missed past two games. Capitals play Ducks tonight. Ducks are not skating this morning after playing in Florida yesterday
Alex Ovechkin is on the ice ahead of todayβs morning skate.
New York Rangers takeaways: Kaapo Kakkoβs βpositiveβ return, Artemi Panarin lineβs dominance https://t.co/UV1qTzHOAh
Rangersβ Kaapo Kakko βfelt goodβ with top-six minutes in injury return https://t.co/FQL9wn4wtV https://t.co/ekQrBVXHvU
Rangers end four-game losing streak by holding off Caps First-period goals by Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere were enough in a 2-1 win that saw Kaapo Kakko return. https://t.co/ubpNzr7hJv
Kakko returns to Rangers' lineup after missing 21 games "It's been a long time working out, watching the games,'' Kakko said after the Rangers beat the Caps, 2-1. "So it feels good.'' https://t.co/0Q1qC3SL0m
Takeaways from a much-needed #NYR win https://t.co/UV1qTzHOAh New York Rangers takeaways: Kaapo Kakkoβs βpositiveβ return, Artemi Panarin lineβs dominance
Capitals' Alex Ovechkin ruled out vs. Rangers https://t.co/BUmRHOMIsD https://t.co/jATm5Bw4SP
How big of a boost was Kaapo Kakko in his return? @MollieeWalkerr and @DHenryTV talk Rangers' 2-1 win over the Caps https://t.co/8TalLe1d6g https://t.co/nqXYMuVPtN
The New York Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday. https://t.co/LQewBHLFdf
Rangers hang on to beat Capitals, end 4-game skid https://t.co/5BvhBMsiIs https://t.co/MpVs2T2FwC
A cheery Kaapo Kakko on his first game back from injury: "Iβve been working out a lot, and hard. I feel it doesnβt matter how much you do that. You still feel a little tired the first game. Not the best game but not bad also. Iβm happy.β #NYR
Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere scored first-period goals, Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves and the Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Capitals on Sunday. https://t.co/RpzUeYzoYy #NoQuitInNY
#NYR Kaapo Kakko on playing with Zibanejad/Kreider in first game back: βIt felt good. I woke up this morning and I saw the lines. Of course, I knew it was going to be more ice time [than] I got before I got hurt. That was a good thing. I was happy about that. Good win, also...
It wasnβt the most complete win of the season for the #NYR, but style points were an afterthought in the face of a season-long losing streak. Rangers win, 2-1, behind another strong game from the Panarin-Trocheck-LafreniΓ¨re line. Takeaways ππΌ https://t.co/HovalDPc2X
#NYR beat the #AllCaps 2-1, stopping their 4-game losing streak. Similar script the first 40 as last game; minus the (detrimental) defensive lapses in the third.
#NYR snap a four game skid with a 2-1 win over the #ALLCAPS @TheHockeyNews ‡οΈβ€΅οΈ https://t.co/11w4qAhVbX
FINAL β #NYR 2, Capitals 1 Rangers hang on to pull out the win and stop the bleeding of a four-game losing streak.
Strong 3rd period with the lead, couple hairy moments late but #NYR work hard for a 2-1 win over WSH. What they needed to snap four-game winless skid.
Rangers hold on to defeat the Capitals and end their 0-2-2 slide. Improve to 7-0-0 in second game of back-to-backs.
FINAL: The Rangers win 2-1 against the Capitals. Led by Artemi Panarin and their second line, they break their four game skid and split the weekend back-to-back with Washington. #NYR
There have been four high-sticks in #NYR vs. #ALLCAPS today. Reminds me of gym-class hockey.
End 2, #NYR lead 2-1. Oshie had the only goal of the 2nd, for WSH. Rangers failed on a 5-on-3, and the PP is 0-for-3. SOG are 21-18, Rangers, but per @NatStatTrick, 5-on-5 scoring chances are 17-9, WSH. HD chances in 2nd period were 5-0, WSH (5-5 for the game). Kakko TOI: 11:06.
#NYR in similar spot as they were yesterday, up 2-1 over the #ALLCAPS with a period to play. Ended up allowing two goals in 1:53 to drop fourth straight.
Caps with a flurry of chances at the end of the second period, but a chaotic scene in front of the #NYR net resulted in more stumbling than shots on net. Rangers will head to the third nursing a 2-1 lead.
After 40, Capitals trail Rangers 2-1 after a goal from Oshie. NYR still up 21-17 in SOG, but Caps have some life.
Incredible save from Igor on Oshie. Classic. #NYR
Dylan Strome with a tough-angle shot from along the goal line that turned into a juicy rebound for TJ Oshie. #NYR lead is cut to 2-1 with 8:57 remaining in the second.
A flurry around the net results in a T.J. Oshie goal. A Dylan Strome pass went off him and past Igor Shesterkin, who was not pleased. Oshie hit the crossbar moments earlier. 2-1 #NYR
WSH is on the board. Oshie. #NYR lead cut to 2-1.
End 1P: #NYR 2, #ALLCAPS 0 SOG: 9-6 NYR Hits: 8-4 NYR Blocks: 7-3 WAS Turnovers: NYR 2; WAS 3 FO: 73% (11-for-15) WAS PP: NYR 0/1; WAS 0/1 HDCF: 5-2 NYR xGF: 0.9-0.86 NYR A solid start for the NYR, with the Panarin-Troch-Laf line driving the bus at 5v5 yet again.
End 1, #NYR score in the first minute (Panarin) and the last (Laf) and lead, 2-0. They begin the 2nd on the PK, for 1:49. SOG are 9-6, Rangers. Per @NatStatTrick, HD chances are 5-0, Rangers. Kakko played 5:40 in the first, with 1 SOG. PL said he's not on a minutes restriction.
#NYR up 2-0 over #ALLCAPS after 1. WSH's defense, which has been improved under Carbery, failed on both goals for NYR. Charlie Lindgren is playing back-to-back games and has been phenomenal early. Likely, we see #Isles Ilya Sorokin play both of their back-to-backs this Mon/Tue.
After 20, Caps trail Rangers 2-0 after goals from Panarin and Lafreniere. NYR up 9-6 in SOG.
END 1: The #NYR lead 2-0. Alexis Lafreniere scored late in the period. Schneider snuck a puck through a bunch of bodies to Lafreniere alone in front of the net. Lindgren made the initial save, but Lafreniere buried the rebound. Washington starts the second on the PP.
1-0 Rangers. No chance for Lindgren on that shot from Panarin
Panarin with goal No. 27 on his first shift - a one-timer off the rush on a feed from Trocheck. 1-0 #NYR
Nice big round of applause from MSG for Kaapo Kakko as he's introduced as a #NYR starter
Big hand for Kaapo Kakko as he's introduced at MSG. He's in the starting lineup this afternoon. #NYR
"Whatever the game brings his way [Kakko] is in a good spot to handle it" Peter Laviolette talks about Kaapo Kakko's return to the #Rangers lineup today and assesses the season and last night's loss to Washington https://t.co/rncRR30o4u https://t.co/3KkacF5Wr8
Finally got to MSG. Kaapo Kakko is back for the Rangers and on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Kakko is on top line for #NYR in his return to lineup after a 21-game absence.
Kaapo Kakko taking warm ups for the #NYR after missing 21 games due to a lower-body injury on Nov.27. @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/AeeV0SBfTG
No Alex Ovechkin for #ALLCAPS for a second straight game. Lower body injury. #NYR won't face WSH again this season.
Kakko is on the MSG ice for warmups, with no Anton Blidh. He's the one coming out. #NYR will start Igor Shesterkin, while the Caps will counter with Charlie Lindgren starting for the second consecutive day.
Igor Shesterkin (16-10, 2.90 GAA, .901 SV%) leads the #NYR -- in their third jerseys -- onto the Garden ice for warmups. Charlie Lindgren (8-3-3, 2.25, .928) going back-to-back for WSH.
Ready for a rematch. @NYRangers vs. @Capitals Kaapo Kakko returns after 21 games as #NYR look to stop the losing skid https://t.co/Hoh5usttcH
NYR head coach Peter Laviolette said Kaapo Kakko returns today vs WASH
Struggling Rangers get Kaapo Kakko back from injury vs. Capitals https://t.co/92cyhw3W4z https://t.co/gXBsnbPwJT
Kaapo Kakko set to return to #NYR lineup today β¬οΈ https://t.co/PgHESKyPZR via @nypostsports
Charlie Lindgren starting back-to-back today vs. the NYR, per @BaileyAJohnson_. The #ALLCAPS goalie is having a great season and has been outstanding vs. the Rangers. https://t.co/UfWAQB0eYk
Kaapo Kakko will return to action this afternoon after missing 21 games with a lower-body injury - at a time when the reeling Rangers could really use a boost. Here's the latest #NYR πhttps://t.co/JK45iPwKyN
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette on Kaapo Kakko: βYou miss everything a little bit when it comes to Kakko. He protects the puck really well in the offensive zone. Heβs big. Heβs strong. Heβs young. Heβs fast. Heβs capable defensively, certainly capable offensively. You lose a...
Alex Ovechkin will miss his second straight game with an ongoing lower-body injury as the Capitals face the Rangers to close out their home and home. What to know and the latest: https://t.co/Gq7IRbCv6u
Same lineup for the Caps today in New York, including Charlie Lindgren in goal. Alex Ovechkin (lower body) will not play
BREAKING: Kakko returns to #NYR lineup Sunday against Capitals β¦@TheHockeyNewsβ© β€΅οΈ https://t.co/6qT9YetVKv
Per @MollieeWalkerr, Kaapo Kakko returns to #NYR lineup today vs. #ALLCAPS after missing 21 games: https://t.co/tDN1y8XlzH https://t.co/tDN1y8XlzH
Kaapo Kakko will play today vs. WSH, per #NYR HC Peter Laviolette.
Kakko is in today, Laviolette says.
Kakko in today #NYR
#NYR Kaapo Kakko will play today vs. Capitals, per coach Peter Laviolette.
Kakko playing today? @MollieeWalkerr
Well on their way to ending a troubling skid, the Rangers again fell apart when the game was on the line, giving up two third-period goals in a 3-2 defeat to the Capitals on Saturday for their fourth loss in a row. https://t.co/ytnfeNkSth #NoQuitInNY
There's an "outside chance" that the Capitals could see Alex Ovechkin draw back into the lineup on Sunday. Here's the latest on the #ALLCAPS captain, who missed Saturday due to a lower-body injury he's been dealing with over the last week: https://t.co/Vv3CINuaRF
Capitals rally, send Rangers to fourth straight loss https://t.co/30VMsRNxU0 https://t.co/ZQxzJyDDjd
Capitals rally from a 2-goal deficit to beat the Rangers 3-2 and hand them a 4th consecutive loss https://t.co/cqHUpxT46j
Updates game story, @stefen_rosner and I breakdown the #NYR loss to the #ALLCAPS VIDEO HERE @TheHockeyNews β€΅οΈ https://t.co/QJRoH0sv92 via @mugnoma
#NYR blow their third-period lead, falling 3-2 to #ALLCAPS for a fourth-straight loss. Metro lead getting slimmer by the day @TheHockeyNews @mugnoma https://t.co/fILxBiNc6Q https://t.co/fILxBiNc6Q
#NYR fall to the #ALLCAPS 3-2, losing the lead in the third period. Game story @TheHockeyNews β€΅οΈ https://t.co/QJRoH0sv92
FINAL β Capitals 3, #NYR 2 Rangers surrender two goals in the span of 1:53 in the third period to lose their fourth straight game. Rematch tomorrow afternoon at the Garden.
#NYR fall to #ALLCAPS 3-2 and lose their 4th straight for their first time this season. Rematch tomorrow at 1pm back at @TheGarden
#NYR lose in regulation for the 3rd time when leading after 2 periods (16-3-1). Now 1-4-1 in the last 6.
Capitals score two goals in third to come back for 3-2 win vs. Rangers.
OSHIE ON THE DOORSTEP π₯ Two goals in two minutes give the Capitals the lead over the Rangers. π₯ @Capitals https://t.co/eJghcHxIzn
Strome takes the puck from Adam Fox, drives the net and patiently finds TJ Oshie in the goal crease. 2-quick goals in under 2 minutes to go ahead 3-2. #ALLCAPS #NYR
T.J. Oshie scores his third goal of the season to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead in the third period. With the goal, Oshie passes Dennis Maruk (182) for the 10th-most goals in franchise history.
#NYR, who started the third period up 2-1, allowed two goals in 1:53 and are now trailing #ALLCAPS 3-2 with under 12 to play.
Caps take their first lead, T.J. Oshie, backdoor tap-in. 3-2, WSH.
After two periods, the Rangers lead the Capitals 2-1. Fox with both New York goals. Mantha scored for Capitals. Shots on goal are 17-15 New York (10-9 Caps in 2nd)
After 40, Capitals trail Rangers 2-1 on another goal from Fox. NYR up 17-15 in SOG
Fox scores on right point shot to give Rangers 2-1 lead at 5:15. Most of first 5:15 of this period has been spent in Capitals end and Rangers score.
Ryan Lindgren with hit on Fehervary and Dowd goes after Lindgren and they wrestle with 4:43 left in first. Lindgren gets 2 mins for unsportsmanlike. Dowd gets 2 for unsportsmanlike and 2 mins for roughing. Rangers PP (0-for-1 so far)
Very different start for #NYR than the last three games. Currently 1 shot attempt compared to the @Capitals 14. #AllCaps dominating puck possession this first period.
#NYR has had a lot of issues transitioning lately. Hard to transition when you don't have the puck. A clear issue four minutes into their game vs. #ALLCAPS.
Mika Zibanejad (illness) is back for Rangers, Tom Wilson (broken nose) is back for Capitals, per the Roster Report, which is official now that starters are set. As previously stated, Alex Ovechkin is out with a lower-body injury.
Alex Ovechkin has now missed 57 games in his career, per @CapsOutsider's count. And only 33 due to injury. The #ALLCAPS are 24-28-4 in those games. https://t.co/bI2MvRTCll
Alex Ovechkin is officially out today vs. the NYR, per the #ALLCAPS . Lower body injury he's been dealing with for about a week.
Capitals confirm Ovechkin is out with a lower-body injury. https://t.co/7WOKjATYeK
Capitals officially announce Ovechkin is out. Lower-body injury.
#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin is out for todayβs game versus the New York Rangers (lower body).
It looks like Alex Ovechkin is out today for the Capitals as he deals with an ongoing injury. https://t.co/8pILLwqwbY
I don't see Ovechkin on the ice for warmup. Wilson, however, is present. #ALLCAPS https://t.co/AzlvUgLvWb
Alex Ovechkin is not on the ice for warmups. Looks like he is out for the Capitals vs. the Rangers.
Alex Ovechkin and Tom WIlson are game-time decisions, Ovechkin being at 75 percent still helps the team, Charlie Lindgren starts and more game notes as the Capitals brace for the Rangers. What to know with puck drop at 1 p.m. ET: https://t.co/YNPP5MeD5k
Charlie Lindgren will start today vs. the NYR. #ALLCAPS
#NYR Kaapo Kakko will NOT play tonight. Peter Laviolette wouldnβt say anything about tomorrowβs rematch at home.
#NYR have lost 3 straight games for the first time this season, as their lead in division is now just 3 points. Face #ALLCAPS today at 1 PM in DC and tomorrow at 1 PM at MSG.