Capitals at Rangers
THE STORY: The New York Rangers are putting on quite a show as of late. After grounding the Philadelphia Flyers for the fifth time in as many meetings this season on Saturday, the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers will look for another five-star performance in Sunday's matinee on Broadway against the Washington Capitals. Captain Ryan Callahan recorded his second career hat trick Saturday as the Rangers moved five points clear of the Boston Bruins in the conference.
TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, NHLCA
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (28-21-5): Washington has had a few days to stew after it watched a two-goal lead in the latter stages of the third period evaporate en route to a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Captain Alex Ovechkin, who has three tallies in his last two games overall, has a goal and two assists in two contests versus the Rangers this season. Linemate Alexander Semin tallied twice against New York in a 4-1 win over New York on Dec. 28.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (35-13-5): New York netted a season-best three power-play goals in Saturday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia. That's quite an accomplishment considering the Rangers entered the contest with the fourth-worst power play in the NHL (13.4 percent). “Special teams are huge. Hopefully we can take off from here,” said All-Star Marian Gaborik, who had a goal and three assists versus the Flyers. Gaborik has scored seven goals in 15 career games against the Capitals.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington's road woes have been pronounced this season. The Capitals have won just nine of 26 games away from the Verizon Center this season (9-14-3).
2. With All-Star G Henrik Lundqvist playing on Saturday, Martin Biron may face the Capitals for the second straight time. Biron yielded four goals on 23 shots to the Capitals on Dec. 28.