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Game Preview: New York Rangers look to repeat against the Capitals

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: (l-r) Artemi Panarin #10, Ryan Strome #16 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates Strome's goal at 7:55 of the third period against Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 and the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: (l-r) Artemi Panarin #10, Ryan Strome #16 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates Strome's goal at 7:55 of the third period against Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 and the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Artemi Panarin #10, Ryan Strome #16 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates Strome’s goal a (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Artemi Panarin #10, Ryan Strome #16 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates Strome’s goal a (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Following their shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night, the New York Rangers look to make it two in a row in Washington. The two teams last met on February 4th with the Rangers victorious in a 4-2 decision. The win was the most complete game the Rangers have played all season, highlighted by a three point night for Artemi Panarin.

Related Story. Rangers beat Capitals 4-2. light

The Rangers never trailed in the game, scoring early in the first on a Ryan Strome goal. They  padded their lead with one of the prettiest goals of the season, scored by Anthony Bitetto. Carl Hagelin would cut the lead in half with just over a minute to go in the second period. The tension was thick as the third started as Rangers fans feared another blown lead.

Those fears were assuaged when Strome scored his second of the night another towards the middle of the third. Alexander Ovechkin would make it interesting cutting the lead to 3-2 with a laser wrist shot taken from a face off scrum with nine minutes remaining. Rangers fans collectively let out a sigh of relief when Pavel Buchnevich sealed the win with an empty netter.

The win was the second in a row, a season high for the Rangers. It was also the fourth in a four game points streak, also a season high. Unfortunately for the Rangers, they followed up their victory with a four game losing streak, gaining just one point out of a possible eight.

The Capitals’ loss to the Rangers was their second in their own four game losing streak and only the second loss they had suffered in regulation. They halted their skid with victories against the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres, both 3-1 decisions. The Capitals enter the game tied in points with the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers with 19, but find themselves in third place due to tie breakers.

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