It was another disappointing loss for the Capitals, who saw frustration boil over against the Rangers.
WASHINGTON -- With just minutes to go, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals weren't happy with how things were playing out against the New York Rangers. And after a high hit from Barclay Goodrow, Ovechkin cross-checked him, and fights broke out in a way that was synonymous with Washington's frustration in a 5-2 loss.
Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, but otherwise, the team lacked energy until things ended with high tensions in the defeat.
The Capitals can only hit 87 points now and are closer to being mathematically eliminated, as hope is dimming quickly. Here are all the takeaways.
Capitals Get Off To Slow Start, Can't Tilt Ice Back
Washington didn't show up ready to play, managing just six shots in the opening frame and failing to generate a lot of high-quality chances. In turn, the Rangers controlled the tempo and were up 2-0 by the end of the first.
Then, in the third, a fluky goal from Kaapo Kakko made it a 3-0 hockey game. New York was leading into shots throughout the night, and the defensive coverage in front of Darcy Kuemper wasn't sharp.
Capitals Get On Board And Try To Push, Can't Execute As Rangers Respond
The chances were there for D.C., but Igor Shesterkin was a force to be reckoned with and the team failed to connect on passes or plays in front.
Strome's goal in the second had pulled the Capitals to 3-1, but Vladimir Tarasenko struck in the third to restore the three-goal lead.
Then, in the final half of the third, Protas was able to chip the puck past Igor Shesterkin late in the frame and pull his team within two again in the final minutes of regulation.
However, a late Conor Sheary penalty turned into a Mika Zibanejad power-play goal and ended any hope of a comeback.
Frustration Boils Over With Fights
Alex Ovechkin took a late penalty for cross-checking after a run-in with Barclay Goodrow, who caught Ovechkin up high. Tom Wilson then stood up for his teammate, dropping the gloves with Goodrow while Martin Fehervary and Niko Mikkola also fought.
Ovechkin received a 10-minute misconduct in addition to his minor. Everyone else received fighting minors.
Ice Chips
- John Carlson had two assists and now has five points in five games since returning from a fractured skull.
- Alex Ovechkin picked up an assist and has points in seven of his last nine games.
- Mitchell Gibson dressed for his first NHL game and backed up Darcy Kuemper.