Rangers score five straight to rally past Caps

In New York, Igor Shesterkin got off to a shaky start for the Rangers, allowing two goals to the Washington Capitals, but he settled down and made 30 saves to get the Rangers a 5-2 win.

Adam Fox scored the game-winner for the New York Rangers

New York scored once in the first period and four times in the third to rally for the victory.

For a change, it was the Rangers rallying against the Caps.

“It’s certainly nice to draw from that experience where we know we can be a good third-period team and score goals,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “Anytime you can turn the clock back and draw from experience, especially something that happened so recently, it gives you more confidence to do it. I think our guys had that in the back of their minds.”

T.J. Oshie and Nic Dowd were the first period strikers for the Caps.

Filip Chytil scored before the end of the first period to cut the Caps lead to 2-1.

“Their goals were [a result of] big mistakes,” Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette said. “There is always mistakes out on the ice, but when they lead to breakaways or guys point-blank in front of the net, those are the tough ones. I don’t think we’ve been guilty of a lot of those big mistakes lately, but tonight it caught us. It was a difference in the game.”

After a scoreless middle frame, Kaapo Kakko scored his fifth of the season to tie the game, 2-2.

“So big,” Kakko said of the win. “Washington is a good team and we need some points right now, so big win for us.”

New York improved to 16-15-4.

Adam Fox scored the game-winner off a nasty backhand shot for a 3-2 lead.

Artemi Panarin posted a goal for a 4-2.

“Fil’s goal really helped,” Panarin said. “He did a good job. And then it allowed us to wake up.”

Pavel Buchnevich added a late empty-net goal for the 5-2 final.

“They cruise guys to the far blue line,” Laviolette said. “We knew that, and he got behind the coverage. We were pressing offensively trying to make something happen, but at the same sense you’ve got to be alert of the players that are on the ice, and he slipped behind us.”

The Rangers had not rallied from a 40-minute deficit this season in 10 tries.

Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves in the loss.