The Capitals quench the Rangers

Lindgren stands tall as the holders go dark

The holders fall

The New York Rangers came to the round of 16 holding a share of the Gauntlet from 2024-25. Their flame had already outlasted the Penguins on qualification night. Across the ice stood the Washington Capitals, second of 32 in the league last season, fresh from snuffing the Islanders. A year ago the Round of 16 had ended Washington's run, when the Tampa Bay Lightning beat them. One of these candles would go cold at Madison Square Garden, and the shelves would drop to 15 flames still burning.

One tip was enough

The only goal came at 13:47 of the second period. Alex Ovechkin and Declan Chisholm moved it along, and Anthony Beauvillier tipped it in past Jonathan Quick. Quick stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced. That one was all Washington needed.

Then the Capitals had to survive themselves. Tom Wilson went off for tripping at 15:18 of the second, and Beauvillier followed for hooking at 17:42. The Rangers fired 35 shots across the night. Charlie Lindgren stopped every one. J.T. Miller's tripping call at 3:35 of the third handed the chance back to Washington, and the Rangers never found an answer to Lindgren. The champions' fire was doused, and the Capitals burned on.