Johansson scores 2 to lead Caps to win over Rangers

NEW YORK >> After getting off to a slow start, the NHL-best Washington Capitals picked up their play and pulled away for a big win against a division rival.

Marcus Johansson had two goals and an assist to help Washington beat the New York Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday night in Kevin Shattenkirk’s first game with the Capitals. Brett Connolly and Nicklas Backstrom also scored and Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots.

“I knew that we didn’t play particularly quick and hard,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said about the first period. “We were hustling ‘easy’ as we use the term. I just thought with our urgency on the puck (after that), our battles got better.

“We started getting a little more of a rhythm and found our game in the second and we just pounded the rock. I thought it wore them out a little bit, and we just stayed with it.”

Evgeny Kuznetzov and Matt Niskanen had two assists each. Shattenkirk, acquired from St. Louis on Monday night, had four shots on goal in 17:57 of ice time.

Trotz got his 700th career victory — including his 143rd since joining the Capitals before the 2014-15 season.

“It means I’ve been around a long time and I’ve been blessed to coach a lot of great players,” said Trotz, who had 557 wins in 15 seasons with Nashville. CANADIENS 1, BLUE JACKETS 0>> Alex Galchenyuk scored in overtime for the second straight night, Carey Price made 26 saves and Montreal beat Columbus to extend its winning streak to three games.

Price got his third shutout this season. He started after Al Montoya backed the Canadiens in a 4-3 come-frombehind victory at New Jersey on Monday. WILD 6, JETS 5 >> Jason Zucker scored with 2:10 left in the third period to lift Minnesota over Winnipeg. STARS 3, PENGUINS 2 >> Antoine Roussel capped Dallas’ three-goal third period and the Stars rallied for a win over Pittsburgh.

The loss dropped secondplace Pittsburgh seven points behind Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division leader Washington.