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NYR @ WAS 7:00 PM NHL Net MSG

Doug Glatt · 2026-10-09T23:02:30Z

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. New York Rangers +1 By the numbers Goals per game 3.20 NYR 3.67 WSH Goals against/game 1.60 NYR 2.67 WSH Power play 21.4% NYR 25.0% WSH Points 8 NYR 4 WSH Season-to-date figures entering tonight's game. CBS Sports +1 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 Rangers forwards Perreault – Zibanejad – Lafrenière Kartye – Miller – Dorofeyev Cuylle – Laba – Tolvanen Bjorkstrand – Beaudoin – Chmelar Rangers defense Gavrikov – Fox Pettersson – Durzi Šmits – Schneider Washington's top six Tuch – Dubois – Wilson Ovechkin – Strome – Beauvillier 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 7:00 PM NHL Net

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Where Smit Hits The Fan

Last Post by x10003q 4 minutes ago

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Doug Glatt

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Stick to doro's face no call

If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:34 pm

Fish

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Lafreniere's goal

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:37 pm

x10003q

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kartye works the boards and Dodr picks a pass for a good shot

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:38 pm

Fish

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Doro with 4 shots on goal already

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:40 pm

x10003q

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beaudoin gets on the scoresheet again for hooking

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:40 pm

Doug Glatt

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They gave Chychrun half the zone

If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:41 pm

x10003q

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dreaded last minute

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:44 pm

Doug Glatt

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DLMOP

If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:44 pm

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x10003q

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tolvanen with another block -

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:45 pm

CuyllRanger

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Ok officially impressed with the Rangers so far this year. Except for one Swedish dman who will soon be an albatross.

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:46 pm

x10003q

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end of 1 , NYR 1-0

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:46 pm

Doug Glatt

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Posted by: @x10003q

↑

dreaded last minute

They keep this up and we will have to start calling it the "last minute of play formerly known as dreaded"

If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:48 pm

x10003q reacted

x10003q

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Posted by: @pierre_pdare

↑

Posted by: @x10003q

↑

dreaded last minute

They keep this up and we will have to start calling it the "last minute of play formerly known as dreaded"

🤣 exactly

1 Cup in 86 years
2048

Posted : October 9, 2026 6:56 pm

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