The New York Rangers held reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin without a point for the first time this season to defeat the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Thursday.
Two third-period goals by right wing Marian Gaborik erased a 3-2 Capitals lead and enabled the Rangers (3-1) to increase their winning streak to three games and climb into a tie for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
“Players like him are so special,” Rangers center Chris Drury said of Gaborik. “They can change a game on one play, one shot. They can win a game on two plays, two shots.”
Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals early in the final period to give Washington their 3-2 advantage, before Gaborik countered twice within a three-minute stretch.
“They outworked us today,” said Backstrom, who took over the NHL’s scoring lead with 10 points. “They wanted to win more than us. We have to get back like we started the season. We have to play 60 minutes. We just played a couple minutes this game.”
Backstrom’s first goal was embarrassing for Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist, who watched the unobstructed shot from the red line slip by his stick and into the net.
“It was a bit of a shock, but it feels good to battle back,” Lundqvist said. “The team battled back, I battled back.”
Ovechkin had five goals and four assists in his first three games, but was blanked by the Rangers despite firing nine shots on goal.
The Southeast Division-leading Capitals opened the season with two straight wins, but then lost in overtime to Philadelphia on Tuesday before losing to the Rangers.
Alexander Semin gave the Capitals an early 1-0 lead, but second-period goals by Ryan Callahan and Ales Kotalik gave New York a 2-1 lead entering the final period.
SHARKS 6, BLUE JACKETS 3
In San Jose, California, Dany Heatley scored three goals in his home debut as San Jose downed Columbus.
Heatley, acquired last month from Ottawa, scored two goals in the second period and added another on a penalty shot in the third.
Dan Boyle added a goal and two assists, while Joe Thornton tied a franchise record with four assists for the Sharks.
Other NHL results:
• Penguins 5, Flyers 4
• Flames 4, Oilers 3, SO
• Thrashers 4, Blues 2
• Predators 3, Avalanche 2
• Sabres 2, Coyotes 1
• Senators 3, Islanders 2, OT
• Kings 6, Wild 3
• Ducks 6, Bruins 1
• Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2
• Devils 4, Lightning 3, SO
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