Pavelec leads #NYR to shootout win over Capitals, but lose Kreider to an upper-body injury. Recap: https://t.co/fBskIOFsXm pic.twitter.com/nMU4My0QfQ
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2017
The New York Rangers defeat the Washington Capitals in a game that features great goaltending on both sides of the ice.
- New York Rangers: 1 (20-13-4, 44 points)
- Washington Capitals: 0 (22-13-3, 47 points)
- NYR goals: Zuccarello (shootout), Zibanejad (shootout)
- Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Ondrej Pavelec received the start for the New York Rangers coming out of the break as they took on the Capitals, whom they lost to on Dec. 8 by a score of 4-2. Philipp Grubauer took the net for Washington. Jesper Fast remained out with a quad injury.
Both backups were on top of their games, making some impressive saves against two of the more potent offenses in the league. However, Grubauer was on another level, making ridiculous save after ridiculous save.
In the midst of the craziness, captain Ryan McDonagh made his 500th NHL appearance in the game.
The game started out slowly as both teams looked to shake off the rust from the holiday break. Jimmy Vesey had a chance on the rush but Grubauer made a nice save.
Huge chance for Jimmy Vesey early #NYR pic.twitter.com/wtd9Fcbcw3
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Both teams began to do a better job establishing possession in the offensive zones as the first period carried on. Rick Nash had a shot to break the tie late in the period but fired his shot off the post.
Rick Nash rings a shot off the pipe #NYR pic.twitter.com/b8YIgT4reb
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
The Rangers did a good job of applying pressure in the Washington zone during the final minute of the period but were unable to beat Grubauer.
Rangers come close to getting on the board late in the 1st #NYR pic.twitter.com/3HBhMNDnVV
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
The period was a highly disciplined game played mostly in the neutral zone as neither team was quite able to establish dominance.
Chris Kreider stayed in the locker room after the first period and the team announced on Twitter that he would not play in the remaining two periods.
OFFICIAL: Chris Kreider will not return to tonight's game.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2017
The beginning of the second period was very similar to the first period. The game was played mostly in the neutral zone with a lot of the scoring chances being low percentage opportunities from the perimeter.
However, Boo Nieves did manage to get a good shot off in the slot on a pass from Mats Zuccarello, but the shot was stopped by Grubauer, once again.
Mats Zuccarello with a great pass to Boo Nieves but Grubauer makes a terrific save #NYR pic.twitter.com/SGU9lpFl1o
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
The Capitals were able to generate some nice chances on net right after that but Pavelec was able to turn them away.
Two incredible saves by Ondrej Pavelec #NYR pic.twitter.com/OQAw9arCDA
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Jakub Vrana got a great chance in the slot off a nice pass but Pavelec made a great save.
The Capitals got a power play right after the Vrana shot and had one good chance but Nick Holden blocked T.J. Oshie’s shot.
Nick Holden saves a goal with a big block on the PK #NYR pic.twitter.com/GzEr93d2kR
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Michael Grabner and Kevin Hayes opened the third period with great shots but Grubauer turned both of them away. Zuccarello also had a shot that was turned aside by the Capitals netminder.
Terrific pass by Brady Skjei to Mats Zuccarello. Grubauer has been amazing to start the 3rd #NYR pic.twitter.com/XjL4yQNGuk
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Brendan Smith later had a chance as the Rangers came out aggressive in the third period, but Grubauer stopped him as well. Rick Nash almost put home a goal on a pass from Pavel Buchnevich but, once again, the Rangers were unable to beat Grubauer.
Sick pass by that 4th line bum Pavel Buchnevich that Rick Nash almost stuffs home #NYR pic.twitter.com/I5G2Buv4O3
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
The Rangers got several great chances in the middle of the third but Grubauer made some absolutely unreal saves to keep the game scoreless.
You will not believe this sequence by Gruabuer. ??
Watch #CapsRangers live: https://t.co/kdUPRWG16A pic.twitter.com/leNBL1XWOS
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 28, 2017
Both goalies made impressive saves as the third period ended scoreless, and the game would go to overtime. Nash specifically made a great play to get a shot off between two defenders.
Replay of that absurd move by Rick Nash #NYR pic.twitter.com/Mx19kpGOyE
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Pavelec made a great save on John Carlson to keep the game scoreless in the final minutes of overtime.
Alex Ovechkin took a penalty on J.T. Miller with 24 seconds left in overtime but the Rangers were unable to score, as Zibanejad fired a shot off the post.
Zuccarello shot first for the Rangers and beat Grubauer with a backhand move to put the Rangers ahead in the shootout.
Mats Zuccarello is very good at shootouts #analysis #NYR pic.twitter.com/cmQw2HMKwD
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Oshie went first for Washington but Pavelec stopped him. Zibanejad went next for the Rangers and beat Grubauer with a quick shot past his glove.
Mika Zibanejad with a slick shootout goal #NYR pic.twitter.com/R6odLBt0a7
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) December 28, 2017
Ovechkin shot for the Capitals and needed a goal to keep the Capitals alive but was unable to hit the net, and the Rangers went on to win 1-0.
