Capitals end Rangers' four-game win streak

The Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 3-1 on Friday night at Capital One Arena. Boone Jenner scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, his first as a Capital, and Tom Wilson sealed it with an empty-net goal in the final second of regulation. Read more: Capitals end Rangers' four-game win streak. 

Timothy Liljegren had tied the game earlier in the second period with his first goal since Washington acquired him from Toronto at last season's trade deadline. Those two goals turned an early 1-0 deficit into a lead the Capitals did not give back.

The win lifted Washington to 3-1-0 on the season and 2-0-0 at home. It also snapped a four-game winning streak for New York, which dropped to 4-2-0.

New York had taken the lead on a first-period power play. Alexis Lafreniere beat Logan Thompson from the top of the slot at 10:17, set up by J.T. Miller, and the Rangers led 1-0 through 20 minutes. Washington's own power play went 0 for 3 on the night.

Liljegren tied it at 6:08 of the second period, sending a shot from the left point through traffic and past Igor Shesterkin. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard picked up the assists.

Jenner's goal, at 17:38 of the second, came off a broken Rangers clearing attempt. He picked off a try by Cole Beaudoin and beat backup goalie Dylan Garand with a wrist shot from between the circles. It was unassisted, and it was his first goal in a Washington sweater.

Shesterkin leaves hurt

Garand was already in net by the time Jenner scored. Igor Shesterkin left at 8:20 of the second period with a lower-body injury, going down after his skate jammed into the goalpost while he scrambled back into his crease.

He needed help off the ice and could not put weight on the leg. He had stopped 13 of 14 shots to that point, and the Rangers gave no update on his condition afterward. Garand finished with 11 saves on 12 shots in relief.

Related: Capitals host red-hot Rangers

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan called it a tough loss for the team, saying New York lost arguably its best player for the rest of the game. Rangers captain J.T. Miller said Washington is a strong team, big, fast and physical.

Logan Thompson played all 60 minutes for Washington and finished with 21 saves, according to NHL.com's recap of the game. New York outshot the Capitals 7-5 in the third period but could not find a second goal against him.

New York had more chances in the third period but did not convert them. It was Thompson's third start in the Capitals' first four games, and he has gone the full 60 minutes in each of his last two outings.

Clean mark in the division

Washington is 3-0-0 against Metropolitan Division opponents to open the season, a group that now includes the Rangers. The Capitals have also won 13 of their last 16 games at Capital One Arena, a stretch that goes back to last season, according to NHL.com.

Washington turns to Seattle next, hosting the Kraken on Sunday. Thompson has carried the full load in net for the Capitals in each of his last two starts.