NY Rangers (23-13-3) at Washington (25-11-3), 7:00 pm EST
WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals
sent the New York Rangers into their Christmas break with a bad
taste in their mouths.
The Rangers will look to repay the favor when they visit the
reigning Hart Trophy winner and the Capitals on Saturday.
New York was dealt an embarrassing loss at Madison Square Garden
the last time these clubs met on December 23, squandering a
four-goal lead en route to a 5-4 overtime loss to Washington,
which used the comeback to start a five-game winning streak.
"I will try not to let this ruin my Christmas," Rangers captain
Chris Drury said after the setback. "There are 23 or 24 teams
that would be dying to have our record and all of the points we
have accumulated."
"You have to forget about it and let this one go, it is that bad
of a loss," added Scott Gomez, who was celebrating his 29th
birthday. "You have to throw it out right away."
Ovechkin netted a pair of goals and set up another while
defenseman Shaone Morrisonn's first tally of the season proved
to be the game-winner for the Capitals, who have won 10 of their
last 11 contests and continue to pull away in the Southeast
Division.
The 23-year-old Ovechkin continues to fuel Washington's
offensive attack, leading the team with 26 goals and 52 points.
The Russian left wing notched a goal and two assists in
Thursday's 7-4 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
New York should be well-rested, having played just two games
since the loss to the Capitals.
Gomez scored a goal and setup another and Drury and Brandon
Dubinsky each recorded two assists in Monday's 5-4 win over the
New York Islanders that snapped the Rangers' three-game skid.