Capitals beat Rangers to seal home advantage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored as the Washington Capitals wrapped up their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy with a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
As Metropolitan Division champions, the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the team with the most points in the NHL, the Capitals wrapped up home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. It's their third Presidents' Trophy in the past eight seasons.
Ovechkin reclaimed the team lead in goals by scoring on the power play in the second period, beating Henrik Lundqvist from his trademark spot in the faceoff circle. Kuznetsov scored off the rush in the third period, and the best home team in the league beat the best road team thanks to a 24-save shutout from Vezina Trophy candidate Braden Holtby.
Lundqvist was in playoff form, making 23 saves in his fifth consecutive start since returning from a two-week injury absence.
SABRES 2, CANADIENS 1
BUFFALO, New York (AP) — Rasmus Ristolainen and Tyler Ennis scored as Buffalo beat Montreal to close its home schedule.
Robin Lehner stopped 31 shots. Tomas Plekanec scored for Montreal and Carey Price made 28 saves. The Canadiens had won five straight.
