Capitals host Rangers on 52nd anniversary of their first NHL game
Washington hosts New York on Friday, Oct. 9, as the Rangers seek a fifth consecutive win.
The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Friday, Oct. 9, exactly 52 years after facing the same opponent in their first NHL game. The Metropolitan Division matchup starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Washington's NHL debut came against New York on Oct. 9, 1974. Friday will be the clubs' 252nd regular-season meeting; the Capitals list their record in the previous 251 as 122-103-18-8.
New York arrives with four consecutive victories after losing its season opener 3-0 in Boston. The Rangers have outscored opponents 16-5 during that run and are 4-1-0. They most recently beat the Islanders 5-2 on Tuesday, with Alexis Lafrenière scoring three goals and Oliver Bjorkstrand adding two.
The Capitals are 2-1-0 after Wednesday's 5-3 home-opening win over Pittsburgh. Friday is the middle game of a three-game homestand and begins a stretch of four games in six nights. Washington took Thursday off.
The line of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Tuch and Tom Wilson supplied three goals against Pittsburgh. Wilson finished with a goal and two assists, while Logan Thompson stopped all 13 shots he faced in the third period. Ryan Leonard's power-play goal early in the third restored a two-goal lead.
Washington and New York split their four games last season, with each club winning once in each building.
