Boone Jenner’s first goal in a Capitals sweater snapped a second-period tie and sent Washington past the New York Rangers 3-1 at Capital One Arena on Friday, but the Rangers left the building with a far larger concern after Igor Shesterkin exited with a lower-body injury.
Second-period swing sends Washington ahead
- New York opened the scoring at 10:17 of the first period on the power play. J.T. Miller found Alexis Lafreniere, who carried across the offensive zone and wired a wrist shot from the high slot past Logan Thompson for a 1-0 lead.
- Timothy Liljegren pulled Washington even at 6:08 of the second. The defenseman stepped into a one-timer from the left point for his first Capitals goal since arriving in a March 6 trade with the San Jose Sharks.
- Shesterkin was injured at 8:20 of the middle frame while scrambling back toward his crease. His right leg appeared to catch awkwardly against the right post, and he was helped from the ice without putting weight on it. He had stopped 13 of the 14 shots he faced.
- Dylan Garand took over in goal for the Rangers and finished with 11 saves.
- Jenner broke the deadlock at 17:38 of the second period. He jumped on Cole Beaudoin’s attempted clearing pass and beat Garand with a wrist shot from between the circles.
- Tom Wilson sealed the result with an empty-net goal with one second on the clock.
Notebook
Jenner’s go-ahead marker was his first for Washington after he signed a four-year, $23 million contract on July 1, carrying a $5.75 million average annual value.
Liljegren also opened his Capitals account in the win, giving Washington two key first-time contributors in a game decided by the second-period push.
Thompson made 22 saves for the Capitals, who improved to 3-1-0. Washington held off a Rangers club that entered the night on a four-game winning streak.
Lafreniere continued his early scoring run despite the loss, netting his fourth goal over his past two games. New York fell to 4-2-0.
