Capitals Cool Off Rangers as Shesterkin Exits With Injury

The Washington Capitals handed the New York Rangers their first loss in five games on Friday, prevailing 3-1 at home — but the result was overshadowed by an injury to Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin, the former Vezina Trophy winner who entered with a 1.75 goals-against average, appeared to awkwardly jam his right skate into the goalpost while sliding into position with 11:40 remaining in the second period of a 1-1 game. The 30-year-old remained down for several minutes before being helped to the bench by teammates. Backup Dylan Garand replaced him and stopped 11 of 12 shots. Boone Jenner gave Washington the lead for good with 2:22 left in the middle frame, intercepting an ill-advised Adam Fox pass in the slot and snapping it home for his first goal as a Capital. Timothy Liljegren had tied the game earlier in the period with a point shot through traffic, and Tom Wilson sealed it with an empty-netter. Logan Thompson made 22 saves for the Capitals, who won for the third time in four games. Alexis Lafreniere had opened the scoring for the Rangers on the power play, continuing his hot start after a hat trick against the Islanders earlier in the week. But the night's defining moment was Shesterkin's exit, with New York now awaiting word on the severity of the injury to its franchise netminder.