2026-07-06 19:34:35 Caps win 1st game back home in thrilling OT rivalry game – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

Caps win 1st game back home in thrilling OT rivalry game

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The Capitals returned home on Sunday from a six-game, season-long road trip to beat rival New York Rangers 6-5 in overtime. Washington was forced into overtime with just 31 seconds left to go in the game after a goal by Rangers’ Brady Skjei. Four minutes into overtime, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov combined to close out the game for the Caps. The game got off to a rough start with Ranger Chris Kreider scoring just 21 seconds into the game. After the next few minutes of minimal action, the Caps awoke as John Carlson hits a slap pass to Nicklas Backstrom, tying the game for Washington with less than two minutes remaining in the first period. Michal Kempny scored just 21 seconds later to make it 2-1.

Washington went into the third period with a 3-2 lead, only to give it up in the first 30 seconds to a goal by Jimmy Vesey. But the Caps came back, striking two back-to-back goals by Nic Dowd and Backstrom. Ranger Vladislav Namestnikov scored the fourth combined goal less than seven minutes into the third period, and, after a quick brawl between Matt Niskanen and Ryan Strome, Skjei’s score forced overtime. Kuznetsov’s tally in the extra session ended the game.

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