That Washington Capitals finally get to spend some time at him with the next handful of games taking place in Washington, D.C. Washinnton’s five-game winning streak ended in a 3-0 shutout loss in Tampa Bay on Saturday night at Amalie Arena. Despite the 32-shot attempts, Washington could not find daylight through Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Meanwhile, the only falter in New York’s game this season is a justifiable one in a recent 3-1 loss to the reigning, defending Stanley Cup champion, Florida Panthers. New York brings a 6-1-1 record to Capital One Arena with eyes on the top spot in the Metropolitan Division
Washington Capitals winning streak ends in Tampa Bay
The Washington Capitals (5-2-0) knew they were in for a tough night in Tampa Bay when the Lightning goalie stopped two Grade-A chances in the opening minutes. The first opportunity of the stick of Dylan Strome followed by Protas being denied on a breakaway. Vasilevskiy turned aside all Washington Capitals shooters in the weekend matchup.
Tampa Bay slipped three pucks past Charlie Lindgren in the win. Lindgren stopped 18 of 21 shots but the second and third-period goals were too much for Washington to overcome.
The Washington Capitals still bring a three-game home winning streak into the game against New York. Alex Ovechkin and Co. have been stellar with a 3-0 record since the home-opening loss to New Jersey that opened the season.
New York Rangers Cruising in Early Season
New York started the 2024-25 NHL season with a 6-0 road win against Pittsburgh before an MSG-opening OT loss to Utah Hockey Club. The Rangers then ran through three Original Six teams in succession beating Detroit, Toronto, and Montreal.
The Florida Panthers sauntered into town and defeated the New York Rangers like it was just another game in last season’s East Finals. New York responded with a 2-1 home win over the visiting Anaheim Ducks leaving the Rangers in a favorable position in the Metro Standings at 6-1-1.
The Washington Capitals only battle New York three times during the 2024 regular season. Tonight’s matchup in D.C. is the only meeting in the remaining calendar year. A Saturday afternoon game in Washington is scheduled for 01/04/25 and the return trip to Madison Square Garden is a national TV game on March 5.
No Love Lost between Washington and New York
It is not expected to be a friendly confrontation when the Washington Capitals take the ice against the New York Rangers tonight. New York swept Washington out of the postseason in the only sweep of the NHL First Round as the Rangers were simply too much for the Capitals to handle.
New York seems positioned for another run to the Eastern Conference Finals (and beyond), meanwhile, the jury is still out on the Washington Capitals. Only time will tell if the additions made in the offseason make them better than the squad that slipped into the postseason on the final day last year. The early returns on new players like Jakub Chychryun and Andrew Mangiapane have been promising through the first handful of games this season.
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