NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Lindgren was the star of the night, making 35 saves to back up a late second-period goal by Anthony Beauvillier as the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 1-0 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. It was a tight, intense battle, with both teams coming off strong performances in their previous games, but Lindgren’s performance between the pipes proved to be the difference in a game that saw both goaltenders shine.
Beauvillier’s tip-in of an Alex Ovechkin shot with 6:13 remaining in the second period proved to be the only goal of the contest. The goal, which was Beauvillier’s first of the season, was all the Capitals would need to secure their second victory in as many nights, following a 4-2 win over the Islanders on Saturday at UBS Arena.
The win was especially important for the Capitals, who had come into the game off a disappointing season opener against the Boston Bruins, where they lost 3-1 at home. The back-to-back victories over the Islanders and Rangers helped the Capitals bounce back and give them confidence early in the season.
Lindgren Stands Tall for Washington
While the goal from Beauvillier stood as the difference-maker, it was Lindgren’s performance in net that truly ensured the Capitals’ win. The 29-year-old goaltender made several key saves throughout the game, including two pivotal stops in the second period that kept the Rangers off the board.
Lindgren’s best save came early in the second period when Mika Zibanejad had a clear opportunity to score, but the Capitals netminder sprawled out to make a spectacular glove save. He also denied Sam Carrick with a quick stick save just minutes later, keeping the game tied at 0-0 until the eventual goal by Beauvillier. Lindgren finished with 13 saves in each of the first two periods and added another nine in the third, including a massive stop on Will Cuylle’s point-blank shot with just over a minute left in regulation.
It was Lindgren’s first start of the season, and he didn’t disappoint. His 10th career shutout was a testament to his preparation and resilience, as he faced an aggressive Rangers attack that peppered him with 35 shots throughout the night. The victory was a perfect way to build momentum after his teammates provided him with just enough offensive support.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Lindgren after the game. “It’s always great to get a shutout, but the most important thing was getting the two points. We’ve got a lot of new faces this season, and these are the types of games we need to win if we’re going to compete for a playoff spot.”
Beauvillier and Ovechkin Lead the Offense
While the game was mostly defined by Lindgren’s performance in goal, it was the duo of Beauvillier and Ovechkin that provided the offensive spark the Capitals needed. The 28-year-old Beauvillier, who is playing for his sixth NHL team, found the back of the net with just over six minutes remaining in the second period.
The goal came on the power play, with Ovechkin firing a shot on goal from the left faceoff circle. Beauvillier, stationed in front of Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick, was in the right place at the right time, getting a stick on the shot and redirecting it past Quick for his first goal of the season.
“It was a great play by Ovi, as usual,” said Beauvillier, who joined the Capitals in the offseason. “He found me in front of the net, and I just tried to get a piece of it. Fortunately, it went in.”
The assist on the goal marked another milestone for Ovechkin, who now has 728 career assists. The 40-year-old forward, who entered his 21st NHL season with 897 goals—most in NHL history—was once again a key figure for Washington. Ovechkin is now just six games away from becoming the eighth player in league history to appear in 1,500 games with one franchise. His leadership and vision were on display throughout the game, and his assist on Beauvillier’s goal was just one example of the incredible passing ability he continues to showcase despite his age.
“We all know what Ovi can do,” said Beauvillier. “It’s incredible to be able to play alongside him. I’ve learned a lot from him already, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together this season.”
Quick Makes Season Debut for Rangers
On the other side of the ice, Jonathan Quick, who was making his season debut for the Rangers, also had an impressive outing despite the loss. The 39-year-old goaltender, who had been relegated to backup duty behind Igor Shesterkin for the first few games of the season, was thrust into action after Shesterkin struggled in the Rangers’ season opener.
Quick finished the game with 20 saves and kept the Rangers in the contest despite the lack of offensive support. Though he was unable to hold off the Capitals’ lone goal, Quick’s performance gave the Rangers a chance to steal the game late, particularly with his strong showing in the third period when Washington only managed to register 10 shots.
“Quick was great tonight,” said Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan. “He kept us in it, especially when the game was 0-0 and we had our chances. We just couldn’t get anything by Lindgren, and that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Rangers’ Struggles Without Key Players
The Rangers were without a pair of key players in the lineup. Forward Vincent Trocheck is out with an upper-body injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least a few more weeks. Additionally, defenseman Carson Soucy missed the game after suffering an injury in Saturday’s win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Soucy had fallen awkwardly into the boards following a collision with Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell.
“We’re a little banged up right now,” said Sullivan. “But we’ve got to find a way to push through. We had a lot of opportunities tonight, but we couldn’t capitalize. We’ll be ready to get back at it next game.”
Despite the losses, the Rangers’ offense has been potent this season, with the team having scored 10 goals in their last two games against Buffalo and Pittsburgh. However, they were stifled by Lindgren’s performance and were unable to break through despite two power-play opportunities in the second period and several scoring chances in the third.
Looking Ahead
Both teams now turn their attention to their next matchups. The Rangers will be looking to bounce back from this tough loss when they hit the road for their next game. Meanwhile, the Capitals will aim to continue their strong start to the season as they prepare for their upcoming games.
With both teams eager to keep their momentum going, the rivalry between the Rangers and Capitals promises to deliver more thrilling matchups in the weeks ahead.
