Mika Zibanejad scores game-winner as Rangers clip Capitals

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WASHINGTON — Mika Zibanejad scored the go-ahead goal with 2:32 left, Keith Kinkaid made 28 saves and the Rangers beat the Washington Capitals 3-1 Saturday night to snap the NHL’s longest winning streak at seven.

The Rangers have won three of four against East Division-leading Washington this season. The Rangers led for much of the game Friday night before losing on two late goals by Alex Ovechkin.

It looked like a similar recipe Friday after Pavel Buchnevich gave the Rangers a lead late in the first period with his 11th goal of the season off a perfect pass from defenseman Adam Fox. John Carlson tied it on a rebound with 14:05 left, and the Capitals threatened on an ensuring power play.

But Kinkaid kept the Rangers in the game, and Zibanejad, who exploded for three goals and three assists in the Rangers’ 9-0 blowout victory over the Flyers on Wednesday, won it almost singlehandedly. He hounded Capitals defenseman Brenden Dillon in the offensive zone, stole the puck and roofed a shot past Ilya Samsonov.

The Rangers bench erupted before Zibanejad got there to celebrate his unassisted goal and seventh of the season after a rough start. Brett Howden sealed it with an empty-netter with 28 seconds left.

Kinkaid, the Rangers’ third goaltender, picked up his second victory of the season a week after shutting out the Boston Bruins. He and Alexandar Georgiev remain the rotation with Igor Shesterkin still out with a groin strain.

Samsonov allowed two goals on 24 shots. Washington lost for the first since March 5 at Boston.

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