Pavelec, Rangers blank Capitals in shootout
NEW YORK -- Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad scored during a shootout as the New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Both backup goaltenders kept the game scoreless through regulation and overtime.
The Rangers' Ondrej Pavelec turned aside 27 shots through the first 60 minutes, three more in overtime and two during the shootout. Washington's Philipp Grubauer stopped 37 shots, including 18 in the third period and one in overtime. Grubauer was beaten on both of New York's shootout attempts.
New York forward Rick Nash hit the left post on a long shot through heavy traffic in the first period. Capitals right winger T.J. Oshie had a chance from just outside the crease denied by Rangers defenseman Nick Holden, who dropped to his knees to thwart the dangerous chance.
The Rangers turned up the pressure in the third period. After managing just 18 shots through the first 40 minutes, New York peppered Grubauer with eight shots in the first six minutes of the third period, although the goalie was there to keep the game scoreless.
With just under 12 minutes to play, Nash stole the puck in the Capitals' zone and fired a quick shot that was stopped by Grubauer, but the puck fell out of Grubauer's catching glove. Zibanejad chopped at the loose puck, but it deflected off the crossbar and came to rest atop the net.
Seconds earlier, Grubauer extended his right arm to deny Zibanejad's attempt at a gaping net.
NOTES: Capitals D Christian Djoos left the game with 8:04 to play in the third period after taking a puck in the face. ... Capitals RW Alex Chiasson returned to the lineup after not playing Saturday. He replaced C Chandler Stephenson (illness). ... Washington also scratched F Nathan Walker and D Taylor Chorney. ... With both backup goaltenders starting, Capitals G Braden Holtby is expected to get the start Thursday in Boston against the Bruins, while Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist should be between the pipes when the Rangers visit the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. ... Rangers LW Chris Kreider did not return to the game following the first period for unspecified reasons. ... The Rangers scratched RW Jesper Fast (quad) and D Steven Kampfer (healthy).