New York Rangers: Up and Down Performance Leads to OT Loss

Jan 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates after scoring a goal past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Blueshirts rally late, falter in overtime

There were a few positives to take away from the Rangers‘ overtime loss to the Capitals on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Ovechkin did what he does best: score on the Rangers. He lit the lamp for the 23rd time this season, this one on the power play, bringing his career total to 498.

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Justin Williams would had his 12th goal of the season late in the second period and it looked like the Blue Shirts were going to be shut down by Vezina Trophy front-runner Braden Holtby yet again.

But in the third period, the Rangers suddenly came to life, finally getting that secondary scoring they had so desperately needed for so long. Oscar Lindberg cut the lead to one around the six minute mark before Kevin Hayes, he who had been a healthy scratch recently, knotted the game up less than four minutes later.

Viktor Stalberg would give the Rangers the surprise 4-3 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the period. As the seconds ticked away, it looked like the Rangers had a potentially huge victory stolen from the jaws of defeat and against one of the best teams in the entire league no less.

Alas, it was not to be. With just six seconds to go in regulation, Nicklas Backstrom would bury the game-tying tally, sending things to an extra session.

In overtime, it as Ovechkin striking down the Rangers once again. Just 1:25 into overtime, Ovechkin would connect on career goal #499, putting him just one shy of joining rarefied air in the NHL record books. Also worth noting: it as his 20th career goal against Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist, the most he’s scored against any goalie in the NHL.