Jenner’s first goal with Capitals helps cool off Rangers
Shesterkin leaves game with injury for New York, which had won four straight
By Harvey Valentine
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
WASHINGTON -- Boone Jenner broke a tie with his first goal for the Washington Capitals, who defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 at Capital One Arena on Friday.
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin left the game at 8:20 of the second period with a lower-body injury. He was scrambling to get back into the net and appeared to jam his right leg into the right post. Shesterkin’s right leg bent awkwardly, and he was helped off the ice without putting any weight on the leg. There was no update on his condition after the game.
Timothy Liljegren also scored his first goal with Washington, and Logan Thompson made 21 saves for the Capitals (3-1-0), who improved to 3-0-0 against Metropolitan Division opponents.
“Doesn’t matter what time of year, obviously when they’re in the division, they’re a little bit bigger,” Jenner said. “But at the end of the day you need to collect points, and I think it was a gutsy way to close out that game and make sure we got them.”
Alexis Lafreniere scored his fourth goal in two games for the Rangers (4-2-0), who had won four straight. Shesterkin stopped 13 of 14 shots before being replaced by Dylan Garand, who made 11 saves.
“That's a tough one, right?” New York coach Mike Sullivan said. “When you see arguably your very best player (leave), that's a tough loss for our team. I thought we fought hard. I thought we battled.”
Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 1-0 on the power play at 10:17 of the first period. He received a pass from J.T. Miller, skated across the zone and beat Thompson with a wrist shot from the top of the slot.
“That was a really hard-fought game today,” said Miller, the Rangers captain. “That’s a really good hockey team. They’re big, fast and strong. There wasn't a lot of room, it felt like.”
Liljegren, acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on March 6, tied it 1-1 at 6:08 of the second with a one-timer from the left point through a screen in front.
Jenner, signed to a four-year, $23 million contract ($5.75 million average annual value) on July 1, gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 17:38. He intercepted Cole Beaudoin’s clearing attempt and beat Garand with a wrist shot from between the face-off circles.
“It stems from the forecheck,” Jenner said. “They rim it around and Vinny (Desharnais) does a great job staying in there. He’s right in that guy’s pockets, and I’m able to get a bounce off it and bury one.”
New York outshot Washington 7-5 in the third period but did not get the equalizer.
“I thought the second period could’ve been a little bit better, but I thought in the third we were pushing,” Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad said. “We had a few more chances there and if we connect on one, we’re right back into the game, but that's unfortunate that we didn't get it. But I thought the third period was good.”
Tom Wilson scored into an empty net with one second remaining in the third for the 3-1 final.
“I think we had a lot of good sticks, a lot of good blocks, especially in that last minute,” Liljegren said. “Not a perfect game by any means, but we found a way to get two points and we’ll move forward.”
NOTES: The Capitals are 13-1-2 in their past 16 games at Capital One Arena dating to last season. … Wilson has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past six games against the Rangers. … New York has not allowed a first-period goal in its first six games.
