After missing the playoffs each of the past two seasons, the New York Rangers are rolling to start 2026-27.
The Rangers eye a fifth consecutive victory Friday night, when they visit all-time goals leader Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
After opening the season with a 3-0 loss at Boston, New York outscored its next four opponents 16-5. The Rangers have yet to allow a first-period goal and outscored their opponents 7-1 in the third period during that four-game winning streak.
“We’re playing hard. I feel like we’re on the same page,” Rangers star Mika Zibanejad, who has five points on the season, told NHL.com. “It’s obviously early, but that’s a good sign.”
On Tuesday, the Rangers opened a 2-0 lead over the rival New York Islanders. Then, after giving up that two-goal advantage, the Rangers scored three unanswered for a 5-2 victory that improved their home record to 3-0-0.
“I feel like we’re playing winning hockey, especially with the lead, and it helps us a lot,” said New York’s Alexis Lafreniere, who recorded a hat trick Tuesday.
Lafreniere is also tied for the team lead with five points, while teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand recorded his first two goals as a Ranger on Tuesday.
New York’s Igor Shesterkin has posted a 1.75 goals-against average and .927 save percentage while off to a 3-1-0 start. He owns a 2.62 GAA while winning 10 of his 16 career starts versus Washington.
Backup Dylan Garand remains a starting option after he stopped all 22 shots during the Rangers’ 2-0 victory at Detroit on Oct. 2. He’s never faced the Capitals, who split the four-game series with New York in 2025-26.
Washington has won two of its first three contests this season, including Wednesday’s 5-3 over Pittsburgh, in the 22nd and last home opener for Ovechkin. The longtime captain recently announced he will be retiring from the NHL at the end of the season.
Ovechkin has just one point and no goals on the young campaign. However, the Capitals’ line of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Tuch and Tom Wilson combined for three goals and three assists against the Penguins.
Dubois and Wilson are tied for the team lead with four points apiece.
“I think (the line) is starting to find our groove a little bit,” Wilson told the Capitals’ official website. “Just using our size, using our speed.”
Wilson, who is in his 14th season with Washington, has posted four goals and four assists in his last five games versus New York.
Ovechkin has 46 goals and 74 points in 80 career contests against the Rangers. However, he went without a goal in the four games against the Rangers last season.
Logan Thompson has stopped 58 of 63 shots while in goal for both of Washington’s victories this season. That said, he allowed six goals on 20 shots faced during Washington’s 7-3 home loss to New York last season.
Capitals backup Charlie Lindgren made 27 saves during a 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Zibanejad has totaled six assists in the last three games versus Washington.