In New York, the Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday night with a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
The Caps ended their regular season on a four-game skid.
Dryden Hunt hit for the game-winner early in the third period to give the Rangers the 3-2 lead.
“Kaapo (Kakko) just made a great play and I kind of ran out of room, and then I got lucky that there was that little opening,” Hunt said. “I’ll take that.”
Alexandar Georgiev made 34 saves in the Rangers win.
New York finished the regular season at 52-24-6 and will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. New York went 3-1-0 against the Pens this season.
“We played three real good games, but as far as I’m concerned that’s not in the picture,” New York coach Gerard Gallant said. “Just because we beat them the last three games that means nothing to me. We’ve got to get ready to play a real good team, and it should be a good series.”
John Carlson and Justin Schultz gave the Caps a 2-1 lad in the middle frame.
“We’re going to have to reach back and do more,” Carlson said. “Whatever it is leading up to the playoffs, you want to get into as good a position as you can, you want to feel good about your game individually and as a team. I think over the last month or so we’ve played some of our best hockey all year. With that said I think we’re a confident group. We know what we have in there and what we’re capable of, and now it’s go time.”
Filip Chytil scored for New York in the first period for a 1-0 lead.
“I’m glad we finished on a strong note because we deserved that,” Gallant said. “We had a good year. The team played really well and to get 110 points is an accomplishment, and they should be proud of that.”
The Caps ended the campaign with a 44-26-12 record and will face the Florida Panthers in the first round.
“I’m confident because I know how good we can be when we’re on our game,” the Capitals’ Lars Eller said. “I think the last three games we just haven’t really been emotionally invested in the game, like we’re there but we’re not really there. … I don’t recognize us out there. Now we get a reset and we have games that really matter. I know what we’re capable of doing, so that gives me confidence.”
Alexis Lafreniere scored in the second period to tie the game, 2-2, headed to the third, it was his 19th of the season.
“I would have loved to see him get his 20th goal tonight, but he scored one and he finished really strong and played with some confidence,” Gallant said. “That’s really good for us and for him also.”
Ilya Samsonov made 30 saves in the Caps loss.
You must be logged in to post a comment.