Rangers at Capitals: Game Preview

Friday, October 9, 2026 | Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

 

 

 

New York Rangers

4-1-0

4 straight wins

AT

7:00 PM ET

MSG · NHL Network

 

 

 

Washington Capitals

2-1-0

Won last game

Are these Rangers for real?

Five games into the 2026–27 season, the Rangers have exceeded almost everyone's expectations. After an ugly 3–0 opening loss in Boston, Mike Sullivan's club has reeled off four consecutive victories, outscoring opponents 16–5.

Tonight's visit to Washington represents another meaningful test. The Capitals are bigger, more physical and considerably more dangerous offensively than their early record might suggest.

But the biggest surprise isn't simply that New York is winning. It's how they're winning: team speed, defensive commitment, contributions throughout the lineup and outstanding goaltending.

The Rangers enter tonight ranked second in the NHL in goals allowed per game, with just 1.60, and have yet to surrender a first-period goal.

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New York Rangers

+1

By the numbers

Season-to-date figures entering tonight's game.

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CBS Sports

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Five keys to tonight's game

1. Shesterkin versus Washington's firepower

Igor enters at 3-1-0, with a 1.75 GAA and .927 save percentage. Washington has scored 11 goals in three games, including five against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. This is an excellent opportunity for Igor to demonstrate that the Rangers' defensive improvement extends beyond the quality of their early opponents.

2. Can Lafrenière stay hot?

Coming off a hat trick and four-point performance against the Islanders, Alexis Lafrenière is playing with the confidence Rangers fans have wanted to see for years. His chemistry with Mika Zibanejad and Gabriel Perreault will be particularly interesting against Washington's larger defensemen.

3. The youth movement faces a physical challenge

Alberts Šmits, Noah Laba, Perreault and Cole Beaudoin give the Rangers an entirely different look. Šmits in particular has shown surprising confidence and mobility for an 18-year-old defenseman. Washington will test whether that composure survives sustained pressure and heavy forechecking.

4. Keep Tom Wilson under control

Wilson has eight points in his last five games against New York. He, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Alex Tuch combined for six points against Pittsburgh. New York cannot afford to get drawn into unnecessary retaliation penalties or allow Washington to establish a punishing forecheck.

5. Special teams could decide it

Washington's early power-play conversion rate is 25%, compared with New York's 21.4%. Discipline matters, especially with Alex Ovechkin still stationed as a dangerous shooting option. The Rangers also need quicker puck movement and more direct shots from their own power-play u

Projected line combinations

Based on NHL.com's October 9 morning report

The Capitals will be without defensemen Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin. The Rangers remain without Joe Veleno and Joonas Korpisalo. Matt Rempe and Scott Morrow are projected scratches.

Goaltending matchup

 

 

 

Igor Shesterkin

NYR · Expected starter

.927

Save percentage

 

 

 

Logan Thompson

WSH · Expected starter

2-0-0

Record this season

Both goaltenders are expected to start, according to Friday's reporting.

 

 

 

Today

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